Theatregoers in London’s West End are facing heightened security measures, including sniffer dog searches, due to growing concerns about cocaine use during performances. Recently, The Sun reported witnessing a ticketholder attending the acclaimed musical “Hamilton” having his bag thoroughly searched at the entrance of the Victoria Palace Theatre.

This increased security comes in response to a rise in disruptive behavior and rowdiness in theatres across the UK. A survey conducted last year revealed that 70% of theatregoers experienced interruptions ranging from mobile phone usage to heckling and loud talking during shows. The presence of sniffer dogs at the Victoria Palace has been confirmed by multiple patrons, with sources expressing concern over the necessity of such measures. They highlighted that as audiences become more unruly, management cannot dismiss the possibility that some individuals may be under the influence of illicit substances.

A Ticketmaster survey from last year found that over two-thirds of audience members had been annoyed by phones and talking or heckling during performances. Specifically, 41% cited mobile devices as the most common disturbance, while 38% were troubled by loud conversations, laughter, or inappropriate heckling.

The resurgence of live theatre post-pandemic has seen an uptick in audience incidents, with some patrons needing to be removed. In November 2023, police were summoned to Manchester’s Palace Theatre following a brawl during a performance of “Hamilton,” though no arrests were made. Earlier, in April 2023, officers were called to manage a ‘mini riot’ at the same venue during a showing of “The Bodyguard,” a musical featuring Whitney Houston’s hits. The disruption began early when several individuals who refused to stay quiet were ejected during the opening scene. Later, chaos ensued as some audience members sang “I Will Always Love You” so loudly that lead actress Melody Thornton, formerly of The Pussycat Dolls, could not be heard, forcing the show to halt prematurely.

Similar disturbances have been reported elsewhere. In August of the same year, police escorted several patrons out of “Grease” at London’s Dominion Theatre after an altercation in the aisles. These incidents have prompted theatre operators to tone down marketing language that could encourage unruly behavior. For instance, the Ambassador Theatre Group has worked with producers to eliminate phrases like ‘dancing in the aisles’ from promotional materials.

A survey by the Broadcasting Entertainment Communications and Theatre Union (Bectu) revealed that nearly 90% of theatre staff have witnessed poor behavior, with over 70% stating it has worsened since the pandemic lockdowns. Almost a third of respondents said their venue had to call the police at least once.

Theatre critic Jessica Honnor noted that while she often attends Press nights where audience behavior is typically better due to the presence of critics and cast family members, she has still encountered shocking conduct. Recalling a visit to “Jersey Boys” for her mother’s birthday, she described how Frankie Valli’s falsetto was drowned out by the audience’s off-key singing. At an Oxford performance of “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” she and her companion had to move seats to escape a man who was not only talking incessantly but also playing air piano.

Honnor observed that post-COVID-19, people seem to have lost respect for social norms, as evidenced by an incident where a theatregoer berated an usher over a minor issue. This shift in behavior has led more ushers to wear body cameras and learn de-escalation techniques to handle increasingly aggressive and abusive audiences.

Overall, these events highlight a troubling trend in theatre culture, necessitating enhanced security and revised audience management strategies to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all patrons.