Brenda Edwards has waded into the controversy surrounding audiences in theatres following an incident at the Palace Theatre in Manchester. Last Friday night's performance of The Bodyguard had to be abandoned and police were called to the Oxford Street venue when 'staff reported a number of people in the audience causing a disturbance' and two women were captured on video being dragged out of the upper circle of the theatre.
Theatre-goers took to social media claiming the show had to be stopped early after audience members began "trying to sing over the cast". Bosses at the Palace Theatre said 'disruptive customers refused to stay seated' and 'spoilt the performance for others'. But Sarah Werakso, who was at the show, said security workers inside the venue acted like 'prison guards' and made people in the audience feel 'very uncomfortable'.
In full, the theatre's statement released on Saturday said: "The performance of The Bodyguard at The Palace Theatre, Manchester was stopped at 9.40pm last night and not continued. We are disappointed that the last 10 minutes of the show needed to be cancelled due to disruptive customers refusing to stay seated and spoiling the performance for others.
"We are grateful to our venue teams for dealing with these difficult circumstances in a professional and calm way, and to Greater Manchester Police for their assistance. Future performances will continue as planned and we ask that customers are considerate towards the cast, fellow audience members and theatre team so that everyone can enjoy the wonderful entertainment on stage."
Appearing on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday (April 12), Loose Women star Brenda was live in the studio to chat about her latest theatre role. The actress has joined the cast of We Will Rock You as Killer Queen for its big return to the West End, having previously played the role in the UK tour and in the Dominion Theatre run.
While on the programme, it proved the perfect opportunity for Richard Madeley and Charlotte Hawkins to ask the theatre star about her thoughts on audiences following the mass debate which has ensued since the Palace Theatre incident, after those watching The Bodyguard on its current tour have been told they cannot sing.
"I've experience unwanted crisp packets on the front row - rustle, rustle, rustle - when I was doing Hairspray and I was singing 'I Know Where I've Been', in the middle of a ballad," Brenda recalled to the hosts. Asked how 'off-putting' it is, the TV star and actress said: "It's so off-putting and it was the front row as well. The whole cast are going to see it as well as hear it so your eyeline is naturally going there instead of being up."
She said it has "been tempting" to stop and reprimand audience members for the noise "because nobody next to who's doing it seem nervous or scared about sauing something." She added: "I guess through fear of arguments but We Will Rock you is such a feel-good show and their are 24 hits in there so there's bound to be a song somebody knows and it's from the off!"
She then added: "If you're going to sing... I'm a singer, I go to watch so many shows [and] just beaue I can sing doesn't mean I should be singing a long with the person. I want to enjoy and be entertained by that performer who has worked so hard."
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