Revealed: Eco zealots who shut down performance of Les Misérables
The four eco-killjoys who shut down Les Mis during its most iconic song last night can be unmasked by MailOnline today, and include a student working for Just Stop Oil as a gap year job and several other repeat offenders.
A young café worker from an affluent market town, a graduate who threw paint all over the Scottish Parliament and a new recruit also stormed the West End stage last night.
There was outrage in the audience who had paid up to £175 for a seat at the Sondheim Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue and were rapt as the stars belted out Do You Hear the People Sing.
Suddenly the activists climbed on to stage and unfurled their banners, screaming ‘join the rebellion’. Security closed the stage, brought down the curtain and had to evacuate the building as the police arrived.
Theatregoers drowned out the JSO chanting with booing and cries of ‘you disgust me’. Another angry punter shouted: ‘Get off you stupid people. How dare you.’ A third screamed repeatedly: ‘You naughty people, you naughty people.’
MailOnline can reveal that on stage was Noah Crane, who has just finished his studies at the Catholic Notre Dame Sixth Form in Norwich and is using his gap year to work as a JSO recruiter. Describing himself as a ‘theatre lover’, he said he ‘took action because he knows there’s no future for the arts if society fails under the pressures of climate collapse.’
Just Stop Oil protester Noah Crane was on stage last night
Noah, pictured on a previous march, is working for JSO on his gap year
The crowd booed and jeered as Noah and cafe worker Poppy Bliss clambered onto the stage holding the group’s orange banner at the Sondheim Theatre in Shaftesbury
Miss Bliss, from Suffolk, was arrested over the summer at a previous protest (pictured)
With him was Hannah Taylor, 23, was one of protesters. The maths graduate was up in court in Scotland recently after the Scottish Parliament was doused in paint.
She said: ‘The show starts with Jean Valjean stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister’s starving child. How long before we are all forced to steal loaves of bread?
She added: ‘How long before there are riots on the streets? The show cannot go on. We are facing catastrophe. New oil and gas means crop failure, starvation and death. It is an act of war on the global south and an utter betrayal of young people’.
Cafe worker Poppy Bliss, from well-heeled Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk was also on stage.
In June she was among a number of people arrested in London as they took part in a Just Stop Oil march demanding the Government stops issuing new fossil fuel licences.
And the fourth person was a JSO newbie called Hanan.
The eco-warrior said: ‘I’m taking action with Just Stop Oil by disrupting a Les Mis performance tonight.
Just Stop Oil member Hannah Taylor (pictured) urged people watching the West End show to ‘join the rebellion’ – but did not win over the crowd
Hannah was involved in an attack on the Scottish Parliament (pictured)
JSO new girl Hanan said she stopped the show because of the Government’s new oil and gas licences
Hanan is seen here on the left of the picture on the edge of the stage
Video shows the theatre crowd booing as eco-activists clambered onto the stage holding the group’s orange banner
‘Les Mis is about the June rebellion where ordinary people stood up, organised themselves against a government that consistently showed no interest in their wellbeing.
‘The UK Government has approved hundreds of gas and oil licences knowing the full consequences this will have on our climate and our society.
‘So why wait? Take action.’
The Metropolitan Police arrested people following the disruption at the musical, which depicts a failed republican rebellion against the French state.
As others booed and jeered the eco protesters, a man near the front snatched away one of the eco-protesters’ banners.
Just Stop Oil said that four protesters locked themselves to the ‘stage of the French-revolution-themed show’ using flexible bicycle locks at around 8.50pm.
In video of the incident, audience members can be heard booing the demonstrators.
The climate change group said that the performance was stopped and the theatre was evacuated by 9.10pm.
Police have since confirmed that five people were arrested at the theatre. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Met said: ‘At about 9pm tonight, police were called to a protest inside a theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, WC1.
‘Local officers were quickly on scene and five people have been arrested.’
Social media users were quick to point out that JSO was incorrect is saying the play was set during the French revolution. Others slammed the eco mob for their actions.
One X user said: ‘This is just embarrassing. Get a life.’
Another added: ‘Imagine being this entitled. Just stop oil think their opinions justify ruining everyone else’s morning, day and evening. Incredibly selfish and unhelpful, damaging their own cause.’
Just Stop Oil said that four protesters locked themselves to the stage to the stage of the French-revolution-themed show’ using flexible bicycle locks at around 8.50pm. Pictured is a JSO demonstrator during the disruption
This photo shows an apparently angry audience member pointing and scolding the protesters
Five demonstrators are pictured on stage during the performance this evening. Police have confirmed that five JSO activists have been arrested in connection to the incident
William Village, chief executive of Delfont Mackintosh Theatres – which owns the Sondheim, issued a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, following the incident
Just Stop Oil said two of the protesters were called Hanan – a 22-year-old student – and Noah, 18.
The group said: ‘Hanan, a student, took action because the UK Government, by approving new oil and gas has shown total disregard for their wellbeing.
The republican June Rebellion of 1832 inspired Victor Hugo’s novel Les Misérables, which was published in 1862.
The rebellion failed and didn’t last for long because it lacked support from the public.
Just Stop Oil member Hannah Taylor said: ‘The show starts with Jean Valjean stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister’s starving child. How long before we are all forced to steal loaves of bread? How long before there are riots on the streets? The show cannot go on.
‘We are facing catastrophe. New oil and gas means crop failure, starvation and death. It is an act of war on the global south and an utter betrayal of young people.’
In another video posted online eco-warrior Hanan said: ‘I’m taking action with Just Stop Oil by disrupting a Les Mis performance tonight’
She added: ‘Les Mis is about the June rebellion where ordinary people stood up, organised themselves against a government that consistently showed no interest in their wellbeing’
This evening, officers from Scotland Yard were called to the Sondheim Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue and said they are currently ‘dealing’. Pictured: JSO protesters interrupting the performance this evening
William Village, chief executive of Delfont Mackintosh Theatres – which owns the Sondheim, said: ‘During the first half of our performance of Les Miserables, individuals from Just Stop Oil invaded the stage, abruptly stopping the show.
‘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.’
Just Stop Oil told MailOnline: ‘This summer has shown us the sheer power of a supercharged climate.
‘Scientists are freaking out and even the Pope is sounding the alarm. But, like the citizens of Paris in 1832, we have locked our doors, while our young face slaughter on the streets.
‘They will inherit a scorched earth, unfit to live in and we will be long gone. We cannot let this stand. The show cannot go on.’
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