Just Stop Oil protesters have halted a West End performance of Les Miserables after invading the stage.
During the song Do You Hear The People Sing? last night (Wednesday 4 October 2023), members of the group stormed the stage with banners emblazoned with Just Stop Oil.
The Just Stop Oil protest group claimed responsibility for the disruption and posted a video on Twitter/X.
Footage showed the actors on stage continue to perform the song briefly before stepping back, with the safety curtain then coming down.
Some members of the audience booed and shouted at the protesters, while a member of Just Stop Oil addressed the auditorium.
What's On Stage reports that:
One punter reached up and grabbed a flag from a protestor, with those climbing onto the stage using flexible bike locks to chain themselves to the set.
The activists then locked themselves to the set, prompting the Sondheim Theatre to be evacuated.
Just Stop Oil explained the motivations of those on stage in a series of posts on social media:
Hanan, a student, took action because the UK Government, by approving new oil and gas has shown total disregard for their wellbeing… Noah, a theatre lover, took action because he knows there’s no future for the arts if society fails under the pressures of climate collapse.
Like the citizens of Paris in 1832 you have locked your doors, while the young face slaughter on the streets. We will inherit a scorched earth, unfit to live in and our politicians will be long gone. We cannot let this stand. The show cannot go on.
William Village, chief executive of Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, told Sky News: "During the first half of our performance of Les Miserables, individuals from Just Stop Oil invaded the stage, abruptly stopping the show.
"Following our safety protocols, the audience were asked to leave the auditorium and the Met Police attended.
"Regrettably, there was insufficient time to enable us to complete the rest of the performance. Whilst we recognise the importance of free expression, we must also respect our audience's right to enjoy the event for which they have paid."
Refunds will be offered to audience members, the theatre group has said.
Five individuals, aged 28, 23, 22, 19 and 18 were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass. They remain in custody.
The London Metropolitan Police issued a statement Wednesday morning following the protest. Detective inspector Chris Rudd of the Met’s Public Order Command said:
Many of those in the audience will have travelled significant distances, having purchased tickets months in advance, and it is unacceptable that demonstrators have targeted a specific group of people in order to ruin what should have been a special night been out.
We are aware of footage circulating on social media, but ask anyone with additional footage to get in touch as this will help us bring those responsible to account.
Anyone with information or footage relating to the incident should call police on 101 or Tweet ‘X’ @MetCC quoting 2074/5OCT.
Footage of the incident can be submitted by email to [email protected].
In the meantime, The London production of Les Miz has extended its booking season to 28 September 2024.
I'm actually in London at the moment and, damn it, first I miss out on the 15,000 performance and now this!
The lady in the video on Twitter exclaiming 'You naughty people! You naughty people!" is the most British thing ever. 🤣