Lancashire theatre ejects drunk audience members

A theatre in Lancashire had to remove audience members during a performance at the weekend, after instances of drunken behaviour and verbal abuse.

Bacup Royal Court Theatre released a statement on its Facebook page, apologising to audience members “whose enjoyment was spoilt by the actions of a few people in the audience”.

“We would like to ask people to respect your local theatre and not to attend if you are under the influence of excessive drink or other substances,” the statement added.

Audience members responded to the statement with praise for the theatre as to how they handled the situation, while criticising “shameful” behaviour of those evicted from the performance.

The news is the latest in a string of examples of disruptive behaviour in theatres across the country, with some noting a sharp uptick since the pandemic.