Police called to Beauty and the Beast at Palace Theatre as show forced to stop twice

A performance of Beauty and the Beast at Manchester’s Palace Theatre was halted twice after a woman was allegedly assaulted.

Police were called out around thirty minutes into the 7:30pm show on Friday, May 13th, as security staff turned the lights back on and frantically searched inside the theatre.

The performance was given the go-ahead to resume five minutes later, but was halted once again moments later for a second search by security staff.

@secondstar.pins / Instagram

Officers went on to arrest a forty-nine-year-old man at the theatre on suspicion of assault.

He has since been released on bail pending further enquiries, Greater Manchester Police confirmed yesterday.

A spokesperson for GMP said: “Officers were called to reports that a woman had been assaulted at the Palace Theatre, Oxford Road, Manchester, on May 13th, 2022 at about 7.45pm.

“A man, forty-nine, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault.

@fatcha.photos / Instagram

“The victim did not need hospital treatment and is being supported by GMP officers.”

The Palace Theatre declined to comment on the incident.

Beauty and the Beast The Musical arrived at Manchester’s Palace Theatre on Thursday March 31st, where it will remain until Saturday June 4th.

The show opened twenty-six years ago, and remains to this day among the top ten longest running shows in Broadway history.