A performance of the Dolly Parton-inspired musical Here You Come Again was abruptly halted at Manchester’s Opera House due to homophobic abuse directed at the cast. Actor Stevie Webb, portraying a devoted Parton fan in the show, recounted that the disruption occurred when a female audience member vocally expressed her disgust at the presence of a gay character on stage. This incident forced the cast to leave the stage temporarily.
Webb highlighted that this was not an isolated event. He mentioned that similar disruptions have occurred during the show’s tour, including a recent episode where a male audience member had to be removed for inappropriate behavior. Reflecting on these experiences, Webb expressed his dismay at the persistent intolerance, stating, “We’re in such a bubble in this industry. But traveling the country and seeing how many people literally cannot bear to see a gay person depicted on stage—it’s wild.”
The venue’s operator, ATG Entertainment, responded by reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy towards abusive behavior. They emphasized that such incidents are rare and assured that any individual engaging in abusive conduct would be promptly removed from the theater.
Here You Come Again is a musical comedy that features Dolly Parton appearing as a guiding figure, offering life lessons through song to a devoted fan. Parton, 79, has been a longtime supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and has hosted Gay Days at her theme park, Dollywood, in Pigeon … . In 2014, she … favor of gay marriage, stating, “I think everyone should be … .”
The production company behind the musical condemned the abusive behavior in the strongest terms. They stated that individuals making such comments are not welcome at their show and will be ejected immediately. The company emphasized their commitment to inclusivity and respect, values that the musical celebrates.
These incidents have sparked a broader conversation about the challenges of representing LGBTQ+ characters in theater and the importance of fostering an inclusive environment for both performers and audiences.
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