Five people have been charged with aggravated trespass in London after a Les Misérables performance at the Sondheim Theatre in central London was disrupted by Just Stop Oil protesters in the capital’s West End. The performance of the award-winning musical on the evening of Wednesday, 4 October was halted at around 21:00hrs after a group of people entered the stage area.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed in a statement Hannah Taylor, 23, Lydia Gribbin, 28, Hanan Ameur, 22, Noah Crane, 18 and Poppy Bliss, 19, had all been charged.
All have been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 3 November.
In a statement shared from the Les MisérablesTwitter account, William Village, chief executive of Delfont Mackintosh Theatres addressed the disruption to the show and said tickets would be automatically refunded.
“During the first half of our performance of Les Misérables, individuals from Just Stop Oil invaded the stage, abruptly stopping the show,” he said.
“Following our safety protocols, the audience were asked to leave the auditorium and the Met Police attended. Regrettably, there was insufficient time to enable us to complete the rest of the performance.
“Whilst we recognise the importance of free expression, we must also respect our audience’s right to enjoy the event for which they have paid.”
Police are keen to hear from those in the audience who may have travelled from far outside London in order to see the show.
Anyone with information or footage relating to the incident should call police on 101 or Tweet ‘X’ @MetCC quoting 2074/5OCT.
Longest-running musical in London
Les Misérables, a popular musical based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo, has been a record-breaking production for decades. It tells the story of several characters, primarily focusing on Jean Valjean, a an ex-convict in 19th-century France who seeks redemption, and Javert, the police inspector who relentlessly pursues him. The musical explores themes of justice, sacrifice, and the human spirit’s capacity for change.
The two hours and 50 minutes production was first performed as a stage musical in 1980 in Paris. Its English-language adaptation by producer Cameron Mackintosh has been running in London since October 1985, making it the longest-running musical in the West End.
In 2013, the movie adaption of Les Misérables was nominated in eight categories at the Academy Awards and won three. Anne Hathaway took home several supporting actress awards — including the BAFTA, Golden Globe, SAG Award and an Oscar — for her turn as Fantine in Les Misérables.