Musical 'Bodyguard' interrupted by 'Mini-Riot', as rowdy onlookers chanting loudly with 'I will always love you' are dragged outside

A touring production of the stage version of "The Bodyguard" was cut short and canceled in Manchester, in England on Friday night after patrons kept singing along to songs from the musical, which led to the house lights being turned on during the climactic 'I Will Always Love You' number. Two women were forcibly removed from the theater by security, and several police cars arrived to oversee the evacuation of the theater after what patrons on social media described as "aisle fights" and even "a mini riot".

According to reports from Manchester and tweets from those inside the Palace Theatre, the show - based on the hit 1992 film - had already been temporarily interrupted once during the first act due to disruptive chants from the audience, but resumed. Later, however, with only about 10 minutes to go, it was put on hiatus again as its star, Pussycat Dolls member Melody Thornton, attempted to sing the climactic song made famous in the Whitney Houston film, “I Will Always Love You,” to the sound of melodyless screams from audience members. Thornton’s mic was cut mid-song, the house lights came on and the offenders were kicked out – struggling not to be pulled over the shoulders, in video footage captured by attendees – and the show was officially canceled.

Local police interviewed the women who were evicted. A statement said "A decision on any further action will be taken once the evidence has been reviewed".

Stories about the incident immediately began to be exchanged among patrons of the British theater scene, and soon internationally as Well, as the most egregious examples to date of what some see as a growing plague of rudeness and even aggressive behavior threatening traditional theater decorum.

"I went to the Palace Theater in Manchester to watch 'The Bodyguard' and a bunch of stings titled starting to sing on the lead during the final song," @tashalou96 wrote on Twitter. A riot broke out, the show was canceled and the police were called. Another user, @REDARMY1878, wrote: "I just watching 'The Bodyguard' at the Palace and a mini-riot broke out during the big ending, the show was canceled, people were physically pulled out and fought in the aisles. All because you can't sing!!! Police on site!!! Total madness. Says @islandnites, "They had to stop the show AGAIN during the finale because of people yelling and screaming and being incredibly disruptive. Incredibly disrespectful to the cast. And they refuse to leave. It's horrible. I never seen nothing like that."

Leading Lady Thornton recorded a video message and posted it to her Instagram stories shortly long after taking her performance makeup, telling disappointed customers, "I respect that you paid your money, and I'm so grateful to everyone who respects the people on stage who want to give you a great show. . For everything that happened tonight, I can't say, I don't have all the details. I'm just very, very sorry that we couldn't finish the show. I fought very hard. It's awful.. … I thank everyone who respected the artists and I'm really, really sorry for those who didn't. Hope we see you soon."

Audience audio and video tweeted by onlookers captured the sound of unwanted chants before the performance shutdown, with growing murmurs about the disruption and weary spectators saying "Shut up". Images of the women being removed from the front of the balcony were also shared.

Ayden Callaghan, who plays the role made famous by Kevin Costner in the film version, tweeted: " Theater pulled the show at the end tonight due to disgusting behavior. We wanted to continue but it had become a major incident. I'm so sorry for what was 99.9% a brilliant audience that a few individuals hurt educated ruined it."

Although it hasn't gone this far before, the rudeness of the audience sings in chorus during the national tour of "The Bodyguard" was not an isolated phenomenon in Manchester. It had already become such a problem that it was the subject of social media warnings and headlines. In early February, reported that a permanent engagement of the show in the King's...