Following allegations of a’mini riot’ at a Manchester theatre, Alison Hammond has apologised for’making light’ of spectators singing along to theatrical musicals on This Morning.
The presenter and her colleagues Dermot O’Leary and Vanessa Feltz had been arguing whether or not audience members should be allowed to sing along at jukebox musicals while professional actors performed onstage.
Alison was even ‘devastated’ to find singing was not encouraged in a dialogue that theatre professionals labelled ‘very foolish’ after they all concluded the request during a production of The Bodyguard presently showing in Manchester was over-the-top.
Police were summoned to Manchester’s Palace Theatre on Friday for the same play after complaints of two ladies disturbing the performance and being hauled out of the crowd.
The show was later canceled, and analysts missed the final 10 minutes.
‘After consideration regarding the words I made on Wednesday’s program, I want to apologise to everyone who I hurt, especially the immensely amazing theatrical actors, who I have the biggest respect for,’ Alison said on Twitter on Sunday.
‘I had no idea the level of disruption audiences were causing and tried to make light of the topic on Wednesday’s show, and for that I’m truly sorry.’
She added: ‘I am a great supporter of theatre and the arts and would never sing at the top of my lungs at any performance, I was wrong in what I said and I’ve given this a lot of thought over the past few days and believe I was wrong.
‘On Thursday evening I attended a performance of the GBBO the musical which I absolutely loved and gave a standing ovation, theatre is a magical experience for me and my family.’
The 48-year-old concluded: ‘I want to use my platform for good as always and want to stand up with the performers, front of house and theatre staff especially after seeing what happened at The Bodyguard in Manchester, which has made me sick to my stomach.
‘Once again I am truly sorry but trust me I will do better in the future.’
The TV host ended her statement with a kiss and a black heart emoji.
Police were summoned to the stage rendition of the 1992 film starring Whitney Houston on Friday night to quiet a “mini-riot” among audience members.
Some described the events as “appalling” and “disrespectful,” while another described the evening as a “horrific experience” because the performance was cut short mid-song due to the disturbance.
Two women in the upper circle of the theatre are pulled out of the play in a video acquired by the Manchester Evening News.
Two police cars and a van can be seen parked outside the Palace Theatre in additional images from the evening that have circulated on social media.
‘I’m fresh to the world of theatre,’ one attendee wrote of the evening. But I was saddened and disgusted tonight by some people’s attitude and contempt while watching a concert.
‘Completely ruined #TheBodyguard, singing over the actors, to the point of them cancelling the show & police being called’.
Former Hollyoaks actor Ayden Callaghan, who plays bodyguard Frank Farmer in the show, also called the behaviour ‘disgusting’ on Twitter.
He said: ‘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.’
Greater Manchester Police issued a statement, which said: ‘Officers were called to the Palace Theatre last night (7 April 2023) after staff reported a number of people in the audience causing a disturbance.
‘Two people removed by security staff were spoken to by police and a decision about any further action will be made once the evidence has been reviewed.’
Contrary to popular belief, riot police were not sent in.
This comes after the This Morning hosts faced widespread criticism for making what some considered reckless comments regarding the rule, which is in place to ensure the show runs smoothly and the performers are respected.
As Vanessa and Dermot tried to conceal their laughter, Alison, the new Great British Bake Off host, read from a script and declared that employees were taking the new regulations “very, very seriously” and were “regularly walking up and down the aisles.”
‘I can’t believe it. I’d be devastated,’ Alison said of the rules, ‘I’m not even going to go to that show now.’
Vanessa added: ‘Isn’t the whole point of going to a musical that you know that you sing along to all the bits you know and when you don’t know the words you just make them up.
‘Isn’t that what everybody does? And very, very loudly while eating an ice cream.’
Alice Fearn, who plays Elphaba in the musical Wicked, was offended by their remarks, which she called “so incredibly stupid.”
She continued: ‘Who the hell do they think you are?! I am incredibly disappointed with all of the presenters here.
‘To actually think you have the RIGHT to sing along to a professional production is mind-blowing to me. If you want that… go to karaoke. I’m totally furious.’
