Les Miserables performance disrupted by protesters

R

Rose65

Well-known Member
Location
United Kingdom
In a London theatre, Just Stop Oil protesters got on stage and stopped the performance.

I cannot imagine the sheer frustration for that audience. I have seen this great musical and it was the best stage musical I ever saw. To have these people get on stage and ruin it is utterly unacceptable.

These extremists have got to be strongly punished under the law. It seems they are interrupting people's lives in the most audacious ways. How does this benefit anyone or their cause?

I don't know what they want but there must be legitimate lawful and acceptable ways to achieve their aims?
 

That’s awful! I loved that show. I’m sure there are legitimate ways to protest.
 

Put them in a Mental Hospital, as a sentence from a court.

That will make the national news and might stop others.

Mike.
 
I don't know the participants but sometimes, protesters in their zeal make a mistake and do something dumb in the name of their cause, which is usually very important. It's all part of the solution, eventually.
 
There isn't any excuse for these types of actions. That's the problem, no one is holding them accountable for their actions & so it continues. It only continues to embolden them & go one step farther. The problem is with the one step farther is when people & property start to get hurt or worse.

What did the show have to do with "Just Stop Oil"?
 
Last edited:
Mike said:
Put them in a Mental Hospital, as a sentence from a court.

That will make the national news and might stop others.

Mike.
Click to expand...
Not a good idea, as many in this group would look upon it as a vacation, with catered meals and lots of attention from the handlers. A much better idea would be to hand cuff them each to a lamp post for 24 hours, preferably in the rain, in February. Of course in the UK of 2023, that is not going to happen. JimB.
 
When I saw My Fair Lady on Broadway, if protestors interrupted Eliza singing I Could have Danced All Night, I probably would have ran on stage and kicked a lot of butt! Even if I agreed with what they were protesting about, I would have still been red faced angry.😡
 
Make them pay damages to every member of the audience for expenses incurred - hotel, travel costs. Also to the theatre for losses, to the actors for their expenses .
Pay these, plus fines or face prison.
As they themselves say, all actions have consequences.

Going to a big show means months of waiting, looking forward, making arrangements like time off work, babysitters. They have no right to spoil other people's lives.
 
Rose65 said:
They have no right to spoil other people's lives.
Click to expand...
While everything you say is true, from their point of view, which I'm not sure I know, just speaking generally and making assumptions; they are disrupting. Disrupting a world they may see as damaged, due in part to the carelessness of older generations, due to our interests beyond the planet and their survival. They probably feel they are fighting for their lives and futures.

Seeing people condemn them as major criminals is beyond the pale. They might have been wrong to use this tactic, but without knowing them I can only suggest they performed this act for the 'greater' good.

It would be nice if the theater offered the audience a performance just for those who missed out, but the cost of doing that is more important.

I say all this without knowing the facts, but Rose, you often make statements that assume we all know the same things you do.
 
Rose65 said:
Make them pay damages to every member of the audience for expenses incurred - hotel, travel costs. Also to the theatre for losses, to the actors for their expenses .
Pay these, plus fines or face prison.
As they themselves say, all actions have consequences.

Going to a big show means months of waiting, looking forward, making arrangements like time off work, babysitters. They have no right to spoil other people's lives.
Click to expand...
And just how are you going to "make them pay for damages " ? Wishful thinking on your part. If you take the time to really look at these idiots, they are a mixture of looney old coots, and dumb street kid followers . No money but lots of time to get into other people's faces. The best punishment is physical . Drag them out into the street, and pour cold water on them. JimB.
 
jimintoronto said:
And just how are you going to "make them pay for damages " ? Wishful thinking on your part. If you take the time to really look at these idiots, they are a mixture of looney old coots, and dumb street kid followers . No money but lots of time to get into other people's faces. The best punishment is physical . Drag them out into the street, and pour cold water on them. JimB.
Click to expand...
Arrest, charge, then court sentence. Why shouldn't they pay for the disruption to other people's lives?
They are a pest.
 
Pepper said:
While everything you say is true, from their point of view, which I'm not sure I know, just speaking generally and making assumptions; they are disrupting. Disrupting a world they may see as damaged, due in part to the carelessness of older generations, due to our interests beyond the planet and their survival. They probably feel they are fighting for their lives and futures.

Seeing people condemn them as major criminals is beyond the pale. They might have been wrong to use this tactic, but without knowing them I can only suggest they performed this act for the 'greater' good.

It would be nice if the theater offered the audience a performance just for those who missed out, but the cost of doing that is more important.

I say all this without knowing the facts, but Rose, you often make statements that assume we all know the same things you do.
Click to expand...
I only know what is in the news. But these people need to pay for their actions.

I think those who paid high ticket prices and made arrangements and looked forward to this fantastic performance must be hopping mad.
 
Those ignorant protestors don't get they made their or the cause much less acceptable and/or associated goals harder to achieve.

With many of these protesters it might not 'the cause' but a cry for attenton on their part. Or just a general warning to civilized society from anti social people. They can strike anywhere anytime. No where is safe.
 
They ought to inconvenience or embarrass politicians, not ordinarily folks going about their days. Otherwise they are alienating the public and undermining their own cause, the basis of which is no doubt important.
 
Pepper said:
Please explain.
Click to expand...
This an answer by Bing Chat which I agree with.

Fiddling while Rome burns is an analogy to denial of climate change because it implies that some people are ignoring or downplaying the seriousness of the environmental crisis, while engaging in trivial or harmful activities. The analogy suggests that these people are acting like Nero, the Roman emperor who was accused of playing music and singing while his city was on fire. The analogy also implies that these people are irresponsible and selfish, as they are not taking any action to prevent or mitigate the effects of climate change, which could have devastating consequences for the planet and humanity. Some examples of fiddling while Rome burns in relation to climate change are:

Fossil fuel companies that continue to explore and extract oil and gas, despite knowing the negative impact of their products on the environment1.
Politicians that deny or dismiss the scientific evidence of climate change, and oppose or delay any policies or regulations that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions2.
Consumers that waste energy and resources, and do not adopt more sustainable lifestyles or practices3.
Media outlets that spread misinformation or confusion about climate change, and do not report on its causes and effects accurately or sufficiently
 
  • Like
Reactions: JBR
JBR said:
The question that immediately came to mind for me.
Click to expand...
Here the answer.

Just Stop Oil chose Les Misérables to interrupt because they said it is a story of revolution and resistance. They compared themselves to the citizens of Paris in 1832, who rose up against the oppressive monarchy and fought for freedom and justice. They claimed that they are facing a similar situation, as they are fighting against the fossil fuel industry and the government that supports it. They said that new oil and gas projects are an act of war on the global south and the young people, and that they will inherit a scorched earth unfit to live in. They also said that they cannot let this stand, and that the show cannot go on. They hoped that by disrupting the musical, they would raise awareness and inspire people to join their rebellion
 
If what they’re doing to protest something that has nothing to do with the cause, my only reaction is to loathe them. They lose any respect they might have earned by logical actions.

We have similar protests in Canada. Various groups, various causes, throw paint on art. Even if it’s washable paint, it has to be professionally removed, shows are disrupted, etc.

Climate protester throws paint on Tom Thomson art at Canadian gallery - National | Globalnews.ca

I wish there could be some direct negative consequences to those who disrupted that show in London.
 
The show was disrupted during a performance of its famous protest song “Do You Hear the People Sing?”

Audience members will be offered refunds or tickets for another performance.

At least some kids are trying to make a better world. We should all be protesting.

Many of us sit in our ivory towers (including me) oblivious to the trauma others are experiencing.
 
Paco Dennis said:
This an answer by Bing Chat which I agree with.

Fiddling while Rome burns is an analogy to denial of climate change because it implies that some people are ignoring or downplaying the seriousness of the environmental crisis, while engaging in trivial or harmful activities. The analogy suggests that these people are acting like Nero, the Roman emperor who was accused of playing music and singing while his city was on fire. The analogy also implies that these people are irresponsible and selfish, as they are not taking any action to prevent or mitigate the effects of climate change, which could have devastating consequences for the planet and humanity. Some examples of fiddling while Rome burns in relation to climate change are:

Fossil fuel companies that continue to explore and extract oil and gas, despite knowing the negative impact of their products on the environment1.
Politicians that deny or dismiss the scientific evidence of climate change, and oppose or delay any policies or regulations that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions2.
Consumers that waste energy and resources, and do not adopt more sustainable lifestyles or practices3.
Media outlets that spread misinformation or confusion about climate change, and do not report on its causes and effects accurately or sufficiently
Click to expand...
I've been doing environmental work as part of my life since the '70s. I pretty much agree with this message you're quoting. And I don't really see the effectiveness of the protest during a play. I'm only guessing, but there probably were all sorts of people in the audience, and possibly a fair swack of them do their best to move toward a better-energy world.

(But better opinions on that protest, an its communication value in the UK, may come from Londoners.)
 
Last edited:
Roger Hallam the pioneer of Extinction Rebellion called for civic disobedience to wake up everyone about the urgency of climate change. I guess Greta agrees as do many others obviously.
 

  • Like
Reactions: JBR
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top