Chaos disrupted a festive pantomime performance in Torquay after a woman was arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer at a show starring a former EastEnders actress.
Disruption at the Princess Theatre
The incident occurred during a performance of Sleeping Beauty at the Princess Theatre in Torquay on Sunday, 22nd December 2024. The production stars Emma Barton, best known for playing Honey Mitchell in the BBC soap EastEnders.
Police were called to the venue after reports that a woman in the audience was behaving in an "anti-social manner", disturbing the show. An off-duty police officer who was present at the panto took initial action to escort the 31-year-old woman from the theatre.
Alleged Assault Leads to Arrest
The situation escalated outside the venue. It is alleged that the woman then pushed the off-duty officer to the ground. Following this, she was promptly arrested by responding officers on suspicion of assault.
The incident brought a sudden and dramatic halt to the festive entertainment, shocking cast members and audience alike. The show was reportedly paused while the disturbance was dealt with.
Aftermath and Ongoing Inquiry
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed they attended the scene. A 31-year-old woman remains in custody and is assisting officers with their enquiries. There were no reports of serious injuries.
The theatre management and production company have been approached for comment regarding the disruption during one of their key festive season performances. Pantomimes are a beloved British tradition, especially in the run-up to Christmas, making such a security incident particularly notable.
Emma Barton, who headlines the production, has not yet publicly commented on the incident. The actress is a seasoned pantomime performer and a popular figure on the UK entertainment scene.
