The opening night of "Only Fools And Horses: The Musical" at The Winter Gardens in Blackpool was abruptly interrupted on Monday evening due to a medical emergency involving a member of the audience. The incident occurred during the interval in the front stalls area of the auditorium, leading to the evacuation of theatregoers and the postponement of the second act of the show.
Following the emergency, paramedics were called to the scene immediately to attend to the individual who fell ill. The Winter Gardens released a statement on Tuesday detailing the situation, which said, "Due to the nature of the incident and in accordance with venue protocols, the decision was taken to evacuate the theatre and postpone the remainder of the show." The statement also confirmed that all affected ticket holders would be able to transfer their tickets to another performance during the week or request a refund if they could not attend an alternative date.
The theatre praised the quick and professional response from staff, the visiting company, and emergency services. They expressed well wishes for the individual affected and their family. The statement read, "Our thoughts and well wishes are with the individual involved and their family at this time. We thank everyone for their patience and understanding during these exceptional circumstances."
Audience members commended the staff at The Winter Gardens for their handling of the emergency. One theatregoer said, "We were there and commend your staff for the professional way they dealt with this medical emergency. I’ve worked in a theatre and evacuating everyone is not a straightforward process." Others acknowledged the efficiency of the evacuation procedure and the calmness of the staff in guiding patrons out to allow emergency services quick access. Messages of sympathy for the person affected and their loved ones were prevalent among comments.
"Only Fools And Horses: The Musical," starring Paul Whitehouse as Grandad, is currently on a UK tour following a successful four-year, sold-out run in London’s West End. The show will remain at The Winter Gardens until May 3 before continuing its tour, which concludes on July 5 at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre in Dublin.
In a related note, Sir David Jason, the actor known for his role as Derek "Del Boy" Trotter in the original BBC television sitcom, praised the musical in December following its gala performance. Speaking to The Sun at London's Eventim Apollo, the 85-year-old described the show as "hysterical" and "moving," highlighting that much of the original script was used effectively. He added, "Sometimes it even took me by surprise and I was laughing. So the whole show was a memory for me of the whole thing: the script, the characters - it was lovely to see them all... it nearly brought a tear to my eye."
The original "Only Fools And Horses" television series ran from 1981 to 1991, with subsequent Christmas specials that ended in 2003. The show remains highly regarded, topping a BBC poll in January 2022 as the best TV programme the corporation has ever produced.
Source: Noah Wire Services