The musical "Les Misérables" was canceled this Wednesday in London after a group of activists interrupted the show by storming the stage with banners and comparing themselves to the characters:
🚨 BREAKING: Just Stop Oil interrupt Les Mis.
🦺 4 people are locked to the stage of the French-revolution-themed show.
💬 “Valjean steals bread to feed a starving child. How long before we are all forced to steal?
🌡 The fossil fuel show can't go on: https://t.co/3tlBID7nKA pic.twitter.com/nCXsIGINoS
— Just Stop Oil (@JustStop_Oil) October 4, 2023
The protesters interrupted the show at the Sondheim Theater in London's West End while the cast was performing "Do You Hear the People Sing?" They jumped onto the stage and locked themselves to the set with flexible bicycle locks. The Guardian reported that one of the activists, Hannah Taylor, said the following:
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.
Minutes later, Just Stop Oil released a statement explaining why they had decided to interrupt the show. Breitbart reported the organization's statement: "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."
Five activists arrested for interrupting 'Les Misérables'
The five people who had interrupted the show were arrested after theatergoers booed them for interrupting the performance. In addition, the owner of the theater also criticized the disruption to Wednesday's performance. He said that although the Sondheim Theater respects freedom of expression, those attending "Les Misérables" also have the right to "enjoy the event for which they have paid."
Just Stop Oil has not apologized for its actions. Instead, the organization continues to upload posts to its X account (formerly Twitter) justifying the disturbance to "Les Misérables":
📢 "A show about desperate people living in a system that has failed them"
🦺 Lydia was one of the people who disrupted Les Miserables last night, demanding no new oil and gas.
🖋️ Join hundreds of people committed to taking action in November — https://t.co/7BzUVS0A3x pic.twitter.com/203Zg7TS8E
— Just Stop Oil (@JustStop_Oil) October 5, 2023
🚨 Theatre producer and Just Stop Oil supporter, Chloe Naldrett calls for those in the industry “to decide who we are.”
👉 Read her full letter here:https://t.co/Di8WnKy4Rv pic.twitter.com/UfClPv2yKq
— Just Stop Oil (@JustStop_Oil) October 5, 2023
