The Bodyguard’s Melody Thornton Apologize After Show’s Chaos and Riot Police Intervention
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melodythornton/Instagram
Melody Thornton has spoken out after members of the audience refused to stop singing over a performance of the hit musical The Bodyguard. This production, based on the classic film of the same name, is touring the country again after debuting in the West End nearly a decade ago. This time it’s Pussycat Doll star Melody, who wows audiences in Sunderland in February in the role made famous by Whitney Houston. In this role, Melody follows in the footsteps of Beverley Knight and Alexandra Burke by portraying pop megastar Rachel Marron who is threatened by an obsessed stalker.
— Palace & Opera Mcr (@PalaceAndOpera) April 8, 2023
Whitney’s classics such as So Emotional, I’m Every Woman, I Have Nothing, and I Will Always Love You appear on the soundtrack of the show. Around ten minutes before Friday’s scheduled end, trouble began at the Palace Theatre in Manchester during Melody’s performance of the latter, as some audience members ignored the warnings not to sing loudly and spoiled the song for Melody and the many others inside the theatre. Some people in the theatre have tweeted that those told to be quiet became aggressive towards theatre staff, and that’s why the show was abruptly halted. Police were called, and photos of police cars outside the theatre were posted online as the public wondered what was going on.
Riot at ex-Pussycat Doll's Melody Thornton's musical: Audience revolt when they are told to stop singing along at The Bodyguard and fights break out when police are called in pic.twitter.com/ZIzM15OPgt
— Kaotic videos (@Kaotick_videos) April 8, 2023
Melody Thornton, Of The Bodyguard, Speaks Out After Riot Police Were Called And The Show Was Halted
Following a fight that broke out and riot police were called on Friday night at The Bodyguard, Melody Thornton apologized to fans for the disrespect shown by audience members. As a result of the chaos, the former Pussycat Doll, 38, who plays Rachel Marron, had to stop her rendition of I Will Always Love You. There were ‘mini riots’ in the crowd at Palace Theatre in Manchester when audience members refused to stop singing over the actors. On her Instagram Story, Melody expressed her gratitude for those who were ‘respectful’ and said it felt awful that the show was cancelled. I just wanted to say a special thank you to the people who came to tonight’s show in Manchester and I respect the fact that you paid your money. As she continued, I’m so grateful to those who respect those on stage, who wanted to give you a beautiful performance. I do not have all of the details about everything that happened tonight. The Bodyguard is a wonderful show, it’s a love story, and I know people were out to see a really beautiful show. I’m very sorry we couldn’t finish the show, I fought very hard. I just hope we can see you again. It is my pleasure to thank everyone who was respectful of the performers and to be sorry for those who were not, thank you and I love you.
— Melody Thornton (@MelodyThornton) April 8, 2023Advertisement
Melody Thornton apologized after a woman refused to stop singing along despite venue rules and was dragged from the show by security. During the riot police called to remove the woman from the Palace Theatre in Manchester, shocking footage shows her being forcibly removed. In the first act, the show was paused as staff at the theatre dragged out several people who were singing loudly during the performance. As police arrived on the scene just 10 minutes before the final curtain, the show was once again halted. Several police vans were parked outside the venue, along with around six police officers. According to one person who attended the show, there have been many reports of bad behaviour at the theatre recently, and I wondered if the reports were a bit exaggerated. However, the show had to be stopped during the first act at the Palace because disruptive audience members had disrupted the show. Another person added: Can’t believe we were kicked out 10 minutes before the party was over. Disrespectful idiots singing and shouting. I felt for the astonishing entertainers and was gutted I didn’t get to see the end.
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