(London) Five environmental activists from the group Just Stop Oil were arrested on Wednesday evening after interrupting a performance of the musical Wretched in London and chained themselves to the stage, police said.
“Around 9pm (Wednesday) police were called to a protest at a theater in Shaftesbury Avenue. Officers quickly attended the scene and five people were arrested,” the Metropolitan Police said on X.
According to a press release from Just Stop Oil, four activists went on stage carrying flags when the actors sang the protest song “ Do You Hear The People Sing ? » (“At the Will of the People”), one of the most famous in musical comedy.
They then chained themselves on stage with bicycle locks, reported the group, renowned for its punchy actions which earned it the hostility of the conservative government and part of public opinion.
“Just like the revolutionaries in this story, (activists) are calling for us to take a stand against the government’s criminal plans to deplete our oil and gas reserves and to join civil resistance against new fossil fuels.” he.
The activists were booed by the audience at the Sondheim Theater. The show did not resume after its interruption.
“In accordance with our safety protocols, the audience was asked to leave the venue and the Met Police attended,” said William Village, managing director of Delfont Mackintosh Theaters, which owns the Sondheim Theater in the West end London.
“Unfortunately, we did not have time to finish the performance. While we recognize the importance of freedom of expression, we must also respect the right of our audience to enjoy the event they have paid for,” he insisted.
Activists criticize the British government’s approval to exploit the Rosebank oil and gas field in the North Sea, just days after London postponed the ban on the sale of new thermal cars to 2035 and pushed back the ban oil, LPG or coal boilers.