‘I’ve been spat at’: half of UK theatre staff consider quitting over audience behaviour

Bectu launches safer theatres charter as survey reveals 45% of workers may quit due to shocking levels of antisocial behaviour by drunken theatregoers

UK theatre staff have been attacked, sexually harassed and abused by drunken audience members during performances, a new survey has revealed.

Front of house staff facing violent assaults, theatregoers urinating in fire exits and mass brawls breaking out in auditoriums were among the incidents uncovered by the report from the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre union (Bectu).