Just Stop Oil protestors appear in court following Les Misérables show halt

On Friday, the five Just Stop Oil protestors who disrupted a performance of Les Misérables earlier this year appeared in court.

The five defendants in question occupied the stage space towards the end of the first act of the show, displaying flags to highlight the consequences of the climate catastrophe. The auditorium was then evacuated and the show cancelled as a result.

An open letter penned by theatre producer and activist Chloe Naldrett explained the motivations behind the decision, stating that: “Les Misérables was the first West End show I watched, aged 16. This and the other shows I have watched over the last 27 years have taught me not to turn away in the face of injustice. They have taught me about the responsibility I have as a parent, as a professional, as a member of many communities, and as a human being not to stand aside while everything we love is destroyed.

She continued: “As artists and representatives of cultural institutions, we are responsible for telling stories which reflect the world around us. And right now we are fighting for our lives, the lives of our children, and the lives of people around the world who have experienced the terror of climate breakdown at first hand.”

A statement from Delfont Mackintosh during the week of the protest read: “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.