A production of Here You Come Again: The Dolly Parton Musical was temporarily suspended in Manchester
after the entire cast walked off stage in response to a homophobic outburst from an audience member.
Actor Stevie Webb, a performer in the show, has since spoken out about the repeated incidents of abuse directed at the cast, describing the situation as “insane.”
The disruption occurred during a performance at the Manchester Opera House when a woman began shouting slurs
after expressing disgust over the presence of a gay character in the musical.
This led to a commotion among audience members, forcing the show to pause for nearly 20 minutes until security removed the disruptive individual.
Webb later revealed that this was not an isolated incident, with similar disturbances occurring almost weekly during the tour.
Ongoing Homophobic Abuse During the Show
In a video posted on TikTok, Webb expressed frustration over the frequent interruptions caused by homophobic audience members. He recalled that just the previous night, another individual had to be removed for shouting slurs during the performance.
“Last night, we had to eject someone who was shouting out slurs,” he explained. “On Wednesday, we had to stop the whole show because a woman was so disgusted there was a gay character on stage.”
Webb went on to describe the heated reaction from the audience, noting that many spectators turned against the disruptive woman, leading to a loud argument before security escorted her out.
The actor also referenced a similar incident during a London performance, where a man was removed for using a homophobic slur. “He was shouting, ‘I’m not here to watch some [explicit] talk about his boyfriend, I’m just here to see Dolly Parton,’” Webb recounted.
Highlighting the irony of such complaints, he added: “It’s a Dolly Parton musical—of course it’s going to be a little bit gay.”
Dolly Parton’s Legacy and LGBTQ+ Support
Dolly Parton has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights for decades. In 2014, she publicly voiced her support for gay marriage, and she has long championed inclusivity in both her music and public persona.
The musical, directed by Gabriel Barre, follows the story of a devoted Dolly Parton fan who imagines the country music legend as a guiding presence in his life during difficult times. Given its premise and Parton’s well-documented allyship, the presence of LGBTQ+ themes should come as no surprise to those familiar with her work.
Broader Implications for Theater and Inclusivity
Webb emphasized that while the theater industry often operates in a progressive “bubble,” touring productions reveal how deep-seated prejudices persist across different regions.
“Traveling the country and seeing how many people literally cannot bear to see a gay person depicted on stage is wild,” he said. “It has really opened my eyes.”
Despite the negativity, he also expressed sympathy for those who hold such views, likening their reaction to irrationally despising the color blue. “It exists, it’s not going anywhere,” he quipped. “Eventually, you just have to accept it’s not actually hurting you.”
The Manchester Opera House, operated by ATG Entertainment, has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident. However, the repeated nature of these disruptions raises concerns about audience behavior and the responsibility of venues to create safe spaces for performers and attendees alike.
Moving Forward
As conversations around LGBTQ+ representation in entertainment continue, productions like Here You Come Again highlight both progress and ongoing challenges in ensuring inclusivity in the arts. The cast’s decision to protest such behavior sends a strong message that intolerance will not be tolerated in theater spaces—especially not in a show inspired by Dolly Parton, a longstanding icon of love and acceptance.
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