Theatregoers in London’s West End are undergoing sniffer dog searches due to rising concerns about drug use during performances. Recently, a ticketholder attending the popular musical Hamilton had his bag searched at the entrance to the Victoria Palace Theatre, according to reports.
Increased bad behaviour and rowdiness have been reported in theatres across the UK. A survey conducted last year indicated that 70% of theatregoers experienced disruptions such as phone use, heckling, and talking. Other patrons also observed sniffer dog searches at the Victoria Palace. A source expressed concern, noting that the necessity of such measures is troubling.
They mentioned that these security measures are becoming more crucial due to increasingly rowdy audiences, adding that some individuals might be under the influence of substances. A Ticketmaster survey from last year found that over two-thirds of audience members were annoyed by phones and talking or heckling during performances. Among the 3,000 respondents, 41% reported being disturbed by mobile devices, while 38% were bothered by loud talking or inappropriate heckling.
The drugs are right here, Mom!
K9 Noms during training on Wednesday put in the extra effort to find the source of the odor. Well done! pic.twitter.com/eXJO3Yvm0H
— Tombstone Marshal’s Office (@Tombstone_TMO) August 29, 2024
Since theatres reopened post-pandemic, there has been a noticeable rise in audience disturbances, with some ticketholders being ejected. In November 2023, police were called to the Palace Theatre in Manchester following a fight during a Hamilton performance, with no arrests made. In April 2023, police responded to a ‘mini riot’ at the same theatre during a performance of The Bodyguard, where unruly audience members had to be removed.
During this incident, a fight erupted because some audience members were singing the lyrics to “I Will Always Love You” so loudly that lead actress Melody Thornton, formerly of The Pussycat Dolls, could not be heard. Videos of two women being ejected went viral, and Thornton later apologised on Instagram for having to stop the performance, citing safety concerns.
In August, officers escorted theatregoers out of Grease at the Dominion Theatre in London following an altercation in the aisles. Last year, marketing for West End shows was toned down to prevent audience disturbances. The Ambassador Theatre Group, the largest theatre operator in the UK, worked with producers to avoid using phrases like ‘dancing in the aisles’.
A survey by the Broadcasting Entertainment Communications and Theatre Union (Bectu) revealed that almost 90% of theatre staff had witnessed bad behaviour, with over 70% noting an increase since the pandemic. Nearly a third of venues had to call the police at least once.
Theatre critic Jessica Honnor mentioned that she typically doesn’t witness the worst behaviour as she usually attends press nights with critics and the cast’s family and friends. However, she frequently sees poor audience conduct.
She recounted taking her mother to see Jersey Boys last year, where the performance was disrupted by the audience’s loud singing. She also described moving seats during a performance of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical to escape a man who was talking and playing air piano.
Honnor noted that more ushers are wearing body cameras and learning de-escalation techniques to handle increasingly combative audiences. She observed a shift in behaviour post-Covid, recalling an incident where a theatregoer aggressively confronted an usher over a minor issue shortly after theatres reopened.
What Other Media Are Saying
- The Express reports that sniffer dogs have detected cocaine on audience members at the Hamilton Theatre in London, raising concerns about drug use in public spaces.(read more)
- The Telegraph reports on the growing trend of drug use at sports events, particularly at the Cheltenham Festival, where attendees have been openly snorting cocaine, spoiling the atmosphere and raising concerns about the safety of spectators.(read more)
- Daily Mail reports that Hamilton theatregoers in London were subjected to sniffer dog searches as part of an investigation into cocaine use by audience members.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why are sniffer dogs being used in London’s West End theatres?
To prevent cocaine use during shows due to increased bad behavior and rowdiness.
What kinds of disruptions are theatregoers experiencing?
Disruptions include phone use, heckling, loud talking, and inappropriate behavior during performances.
Have there been any significant incidents in theatres recently?
Yes, including fights and disturbances at performances of Hamilton and The Bodyguard in Manchester.
How are theatres trying to prevent audience disturbances?
They are using sniffer dogs, toning down marketing phrases, and training staff in de-escalation techniques.
Has theatre staff reported an increase in audience misbehavior?
Yes, almost 90% have witnessed bad behavior, with over 70% saying it worsened post-pandemic.