Chaos disrupted a festive performance of Sleeping Beauty in Torquay, starring former EastEnders actress Emma Barton, after police were called to deal with an alleged assault on an officer.
Panto Performance Descends Into Disorder
The incident unfolded at the Princess Theatre on Sunday, 22nd December 2025, during a showing of the classic pantomime. According to reports, a woman in the audience began behaving in an "anti-social manner", prompting intervention. An off-duty police officer who was present at the show initially stepped in to escort the 31-year-old woman from the venue.
Alleged Assault Leads to Arrest
The situation escalated outside the theatre. It is alleged that the woman then pushed the officer to the ground. Following this, uniformed officers were called to the scene. The woman was subsequently arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer. The performance was reportedly disrupted, causing alarm amongst audience members expecting a night of festive fun.
Aftermath of the Theatre Incident
The arrest marks a dramatic turn for what is typically a season of light-hearted entertainment. Emma Barton, best known for playing Honey Mitchell in the BBC soap EastEnders, was starring in the production. The Princess Theatre in Torquay is a popular venue for annual pantomimes, making this disturbance particularly notable. Police confirmed they attended the incident and that a woman remains in custody assisting with enquiries.
This event serves as a stark reminder that anti-social behaviour can intrude upon even the most traditional community events. Theatre management and local authorities have yet to release a full statement, but the investigation is ongoing.
