Should rowdy theatregoers be banned for LIFE?

A performance of The Bodyguard was brought to an abrupt halt on Friday night after a ‘mini riot’ broke out when theatregoers started singing over the lead during the final number. 

The issue sparked a debate on Good Morning Britain as actress Debbie Arnold said rowdy theatregoers should be banned for life, while comedian Mike McClean thought such punishment would be excessive. 

The former EastEnders actress there is a ‘theatre etiquette’ that people have forgot about. 

She said: ‘There’s a theatre etiquette which is no longer there really anymore because people would never have done that even ten years ago.

‘Thinks like Mama Mia and shows like that, they have an ending that you can get up and sing and dance and I think that’s fantastic. But during the show you have to sit and watch.

‘There people have trained for years, musical artists are the best in the world, they are like Olympic athletes. 

‘People think they are home watching TV. I don’t think they realise that you on stage can see them and hear them. I think a lifetime ban, unless they apologise.’

Mike claimed a lifetime ban was too ‘harsh’ saying people should be allowed to sing along and enjoy the night. 

He said: ‘I was caught speeding and I only got a six month ban, footballers they get a three match ban. A lifetime ban from a theatre is a little bit harsh. 

He joked: ‘Or you could put them on the stage and let them sing that song to audience. ‘

Host Richard Madeley said a viewer messaged the show and claimed the person sitting behind her kept taking phone calls during a performance. 

Debbie, who worked on many theatre productions, said: ‘Yup every night when you are on stage there is always someone who has forgotten to turn their phone off. 

‘I was once in a play were someone actually got onto the stage and used the charger on the stage for their phone.’

Comedian Mike claimed a lifetime ban was too ‘harsh’ saying people should be allowed to sing along and enjoy the night

Debbie, who worked on many theatre productions, said ‘every night’ on stage there was always someone who forgot to turn their phone off

Some theatres have started putting up signs to ask audience members to not sing along during the show 

Mike quipped: ‘Well good actors would just carry on.’ 

However many were divided on Twitter with some saying people get too drunk at shows while others said paying customers should be allowed join in. 

One person said: ‘Fridays and Saturdays full of drunk people (mainly women). Disrupt by talking phone calls and going to the toilet every half hour as they’ve drank too much.’ 

However many were divided on Twitter with some saying people get too drunk at shows while others said paying customers should be allowed join in

Another wrote: ‘It’s my Gran’s biggest pet hate. Who do these people think they are? Drunk & smelly loudmouths is what! They were right close to the balcony so are lucky my Gran wasn’t there or she would have tossed them both off! She’s 75 next year and she didn’t fight two world wars for this!’ 

While another wrote: ‘Must of been prosecco drinking chavs How stupid do you need to be to start singing its a Theatre Not a Concert ffs.’ 

A fourth wrote: ‘Hahahaha they paid their money and their wages so who gives a sh**.’