Audience member 'gropes one of the ugly sisters' in Cinderella show

by · Mail Online

A pantomime has found itself at the centre of a Me Too incident after an audience member was accused of groping an actress during a performance of Cinderella.

Cast members at the Theatre Chipping Norton, in Oxfordshire, were left distraught after one of the ugly sisters was said to have been touched 'inappropriately' by a man during a show on New Year's Eve.

In a Facebook post yesterday, the theatre said it was their 'New Year's resolution to ensure every performer feels safe' and they requested that the actors are 'treated with dignity' in future.

An audience member who was at the performance said afterwards: 'It seems to have been a 'Me Too' incident. Adnausea, was groped by an audience member at the end of the show. 

'The other ugly sister, Quosimoda, played by a man, did make an odd remark about unacceptable behaviour. And a man got up and walk [sic] out of the theatre shortly afterwards. But we thought it was just part of the show.'

Cast members of Cinderella have been left upset after one of the ugly sisters, played by an actress, is said to have been touched 'inappropriately'. File image of actors performing a scene from Cinderella at the Theatre Chipping Norton
Pictured is the Theatre Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire where the incident is said to have taken place
In a Facebook post yesterday, the theatre requested that the actors are 'treated with dignity' in future

The audience member added: 'During the performance, two men in the front row had been asked to take part in the show and declare their love for the two ugly sisters. So, perhaps one took this too literally.'

Thames Valley Police said nothing had been reported to them but the theatre confirmed the incident and said it was speaking to the audience member about their behaviour.

READ MORE: Female theatregoers at Magic Mike Live 'sexually assaulted staff' according to complaint made to police

A spokesman for Theatre Chipping Norton said: 'Towards the end of this performance, there was a moment of inappropriate audience behaviour involving physical contact between an audience member and a performer, which was subsequently called out by other members of the company.

'We are in communication with the audience member(s) concerned to make it clear that we will not accept such behaviour in the future, and that both the performer in question and the wider company have been grateful for the messages of support they have received from other members of the audience.

'We work hard to ensure that the theatre is a happy, safe and welcoming place for audiences and performers alike.'

On Facebook yesterday, the theatre also said: 'Our New Year's Resolution: To ensure every performer feels safe and respected onstage.

'To all of our audiences – please remember that actors are professionals and deserve to be treated with dignity.

'Make Chippy Theatre a happy, welcoming place for all.'

The theatre confirmed the incident and said it was speaking to the audience member about their behaviour. File image of actors performing a scene from Cinderella at the Theatre Chipping Norton
File image of actors performing a scene from Cinderella staged at the Theatre Chipping Norton

Messages of support were also left underneath, with one writing: 'Could not agree more, great cast and performance, well done on the NY eve show, loved it, just a shame what occurred at the end, hope all is well with your acting team....' 

Lord (David) Cameron of Chipping Norton and his family are among those who regularly enjoy the pantomime at Theatre Chipping Norton.

The Oxfordshire theatre has also been enjoyed by the likes of Jeremy Clarkson and Amanda Holden.

The theatre prides itself on being 'a local and regional treasure' in the heart of the Cotswolds which is 'a hub for local people, businesses and organisations to meet, work, play and be entertained'.

The performance of Cinderella, which features a Latin American twist, is scheduled to be on until January 14. 

John Terry, artistic director of Theatre Chipping Norton and writer and director of Cinderella, said: 'This production of Cinderella feels like a real exploration of what a panto can be in 2023 – outward looking, multi-cultural, channelling artistic excellence from a huge diversity of creative people into the folk-form that is a pantomime.' 

The Chipping Norton incident follows a separate theatre allegation last month in London.

It was reported by The Sun that female theatregoers at a Magic Mike Live show sexually assaulted staff according to a complaint made to police.

The complaint alleged that someone lunged at one of the ushers at London's Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square, forcing him to reportedly flee from the venue 20 minutes into his shift, according to the newspaper.