Bodyguard cast member slams ‘disgusting’ audience behaviour as show forced to finish early

A cast member of the bodyguard has slammed the ‘disgusting behaviour’ of audience members after the show was forced to finish early.

Riot Police were called to the Palace Theatre in Manchester city centre on Friday evening, April 7th, after audience members repeatedly sang over the top of the show’s performers.

Producers had asked members of the public not to sing during the performance and signs installed around the theatre also displayed the same message.

Despite this, the show was paused part of the way through as some audience members had to be thrown out for not following this rule and disrupting the show.

The performance continued, however, police were then called around 10 minutes before its finale as ‘mini riots’ had reportedly broken out.

‘Fights’ broke out during the rendition of ‘I Will Always Love You’ and the show was cancelled 10 minutes before it was due to finish with members of the public being told they had to vacate the theatre. 

Ayden Callaghan, who plays bodyguard Frank Farmer in the musical, took to Twitter following the cancellation of the show.

The former Hollyoaks actor tweeted: “Theatre pulled the show at the end tonight because of disgusting behaviour. We wanted to carry on but it had become a major incident.

“I’m really sorry to what was 99.9% a brilliant audience that a few badly behaved individuals ruined it.”

In a separate tweet he wrote: “It’s not karaoke, we want people to enjoy themselves, and enjoy the performances they have paid to see.

“You don’t expect to go and have a kick about at Anfield when watching or a few rallies at Wimbledon as well as spectating. Respect the performers and fellow audience. Simple.”

In a post on Instagram, Bodyguard star Melody Thornton remained positive after the disruption, as she wrote: “Manchester has shown me nothing but love over the years!

“Some of my favorite memories I’ve made in Manchester… here’s one of them! #iwillalwaysloveyou Manchester.”