Elizabeth Sneddon show will go on at new venues following protest action
As the safety of patrons can no longer be guaranteed management decided to cancel the shows at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre.
SHOWS at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre at the University of KwaZulu-Natal Howard Campus have been cancelled following protest action on Friday.
Yesterday the Highway Mail reported that a group of about 200 striking students held an audience of 200 patrons hostage during a performance of Ian von Memerty and Gino Fabbri’s show, Common and Class.
The students demanded a total campus shutdown and objected to the continued operation of campus-based theatre.
ALSO READ: SneddonTheatre-goers held hostage by protesting students
According to the theater, the students, pounded on the glass doors of the foyer and chanted as they demanded that the show stop immediately to avoid anyone being harmed.
Half way through the show the theatre management stopped the performance and kept the audience in the theatre.
“We could hear the students were getting increasingly more vocal and rowdier, so we led the entire audience (including a paraplegic in a wheel chair) downstairs into the safety of the dressing rooms.”
“We put all the lights out in the theatre and for the next two hours, we quietly waited for security and police to deal with the situation. Thankfully we had a pro-active policeman in the audience who managed to liaise with what seemed to be a communication spaghetti – and eventually the students were dispersed, and we could lead the audience out,” explained performer, Ian von Memerty.
“The Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre staff were magnificent, and the audience was calm, understanding and supportive. Fortunately, no-one was hurt and no property was damaged during the incident,” said von Memerty.
The incident took place at the point in the show when they were performing Sweet Transvestite from the Rocky Horror Picture Show – with Von Memerty in full drag, fish nets and heels as Frank n Furter and Gino in blond wig and tails as his side kick, Riff Raff – having to lead the audience to safety.
“You couldn’t script it better!” said von Memerty!
The show, Common and Class, was scheduled to run at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre until 17 February. Following this incident, performances have been cancelled at the Sneddon because the safety of the patrons and property can no longer be guaranteed.
“The show must go on!”
In true showbiz style and not wanting to disappoint fans, the tenacious performers have creatively made a plan to ensure that the run continue with as little disruption as possible.
Venue mangers hearing of the situation have offered their spaces in order to accommodate the show, and the Sneddon have offered the production a return date in April.
A block-booking of pensioners was made for Sunday 10 February 3pm show, so rather than disappoint the patrons, von Memerty and Fabbri are going to the old age home to entertain the residents for the afternoon in their home, and at 6pm will do a pop-up performance at Kloof Harvest Church.
New performance dates are:
Wednesday, 13 and Thursday, 14 February at Kloof Harvest Church at 7.30 pm.
No performance on Friday
On Saturday, 16 February at Roy Couzens Theatre, Westville Boys High at 4pm and 8pm.
On Sunday, 17 February at Hilton Theatre, Hilton College at 3pm.
Return season at Elizabeth Sneddon: April 3, 5, 6, at 7.30 pm; April 4 at 7.30 pm and April 7 at 3pm.
For all queries, tickets and exchanges, contact Wendy on 082 661 6921.
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