Concert-goers were in for a different sort of show after a weekend brawl broke out during a live performance at Victoria’s Royal Theatre.
On Saturday, April 30th, indie band Mother Mother took the stage at the downtown theatre—only to be met by a pair of belligerent men amongst the crowd.
Video footage taken during an intermission shows a security guard attempting to stop the two shirtless men in the audience from fighting as one continues to throw punches.
“Hey! You stop that, now! You get out of here; this is a place of love and non-violence,” a band member said over a microphone.
In the video, it appears both men are eventually escorted from the venue.
“It was an unfortunate situation that occurred,” said Ainslee Jessiman, communication associate at Royal & McPherson Theatres Society.
“The health and safety of our audiences, performers, and staff are our top priority and the theatres have zero-tolerance for violence. Our staff and contracted security acted promptly and professionally to address the situation.”
A Victoria Police spokesperson says officers responded to a report of a fight in the 800-block of Broughton Street just before 10 p.m. to find a 34-year-old man who was “very intoxicated.”
He was then arrested for assault and mischief after also damaging a building window, according to VicPD Const. Cam MacIntyre.
“VicPD officers deployed pepper spray while taking him into custody as the man continued to act aggressive toward police,” MacIntyre told Victoria Buzz.
The man was taken to hospital to be decontaminated and later released from custody pending further investigation. He may face future recommended charges stemming from the incident, police say.
