Theatre slams abusive audience behaviour as another venue urges people not to sing along during shows

A theatre boss has hit out at abusive customers, while a second venue has urged audiences not to sing along during shows.

Colin Marr said he is “disgusted and angry” with unacceptable behaviour aimed at his team in recent weeks.

He claimed one staff member was punched two weeks ago and just this week another was pushed and spat on.

‘This is not acceptable’

The theatre director at Edinburgh Playhouse declared “enough is enough”.

In a statement posted online, he added: “This is becoming far too regular an occurrence – not just in our theatre but in venues across the UK.

“There is a very small minority of people who come to our theatre and choose to sing, dance and talk throughout the show in a manner that disturbs others.

“They either don’t know, or don’t care, how much this spoils their fellow audience members’ experience.

“When one of my team asks them politely to stop they become verbally abusive and, in some cases, physical. This is not acceptable.”

The statement comes after a 51-year-old man and 54-year-old woman were arrested and charged in connection with an alleged disturbance during a performance of Jersey Boys at the venue on 28 January.

Police Scotland said a report would be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

The King’s Theatre in Glasgow issued a similar appeal during a recent run of The Bodyguard, which features the hit songs of Whitney Houston, with venue bosses urging audiences not to sing along during the show.

The theatre stated anti-social behaviour towards staff and other customers would “not be tolerated”.

A spokesperson said: “We politely ask that you show consideration to your fellow audience members, who have come to enjoy the performances on stage.

“We all have a part to play in making sure the theatre is a fantastic experience for everyone and you can help by ensuring the professionals on stage are the only people entertaining us with their performances.”

‘It was a good atmosphere’

Theatre-goer Claire Roberts, who went along to one of The Bodyguard shows in Glasgow, told Sky News that a few people were singing during I Will Always Love You, but overall the audience was “great”.

She added: “It was a good atmosphere. It was mentioned by a few about the statement on behaviour but nobody seemed offended by it.

“There were still a few whistles and heckles at points. But there was also a part where they encouraged people to get up.”

‘You will be asked to leave’

The Bodyguard, starring Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton as Rachel Marron and soap star Ayden Callaghan as Frank Farmer, begins a six-day run at the Edinburgh Playhouse later this month.

Mr Marr asked all those attending the venue’s shows to be “considerate” towards the other audience members and staff so everyone “can all enjoy the wonderful entertainment on the stage”.

He added: “Please be in no doubt that if you are abusive towards our staff you will be asked to leave, and if you are threatening, intimidating or physically abusive we will call the police and you will be banned from our theatre and all ATG venues.”