London theatre evacuated in security scare

Hundreds of theatregoers have been evacuated from a London playhouse during a security scare. 

Yesterday evening’s matinee performance of Woyzeck, starring Star Wars actor John Boyega at the Old Vic Theatre, was cut short when everyone was ordered to leave the premises, the Evening Standard reports.

The actors and audience members were left the Waterloo venue and gathered in a nearby garden.

The scare came six days after a suicide bomber killed 22 people at England’s Manchester Arena, after a performance there by pop star Ariana Grande.

READ MORE: Police issue photos of Manchester bomber on night of attack

The Manchester attack prompted Britain to raise its terror threat level to critical, but the threat level has since been lowered to zero.

Photos and video shared to Twitter show police taping off the area around the theatre.

Boyega was pictured standing alongside audience members as the group waited on an update from police.

One audience member said he chatted happily with others as they waited.

It is understood police were called to reports of a “security alert” at the venue.  

The theatre sent updates via Twitter.

“We have been evacuated as a precaution,” one tweet read.

“Audience safety is our priority.”

The incident was “found not to be suspicious”, the theatre later advised.

Another attendee, Rachel Griffin, wrote on Twitter that the situation was “well handled”.

“The Stage Manager interrupted the play, came onstage and asked us all to leave,” she wrote.

“All OK, on way home.

“Got to walk alongside John Boyega, on the bright side!!”

Th interrupted performance was cancelled, with those affected advised to contact the relevant parties to re-book.

The evening’s second performance went ahead as scheduled.