I've been a bodyguard to the stars - and here's the real reason why stars like Sigourney Weaver, targeted by Just Stop Oil, are vulnerable in London's West End
- Michael Chandler was a close protection officer to stars and high net worth individuals and now runs a global security training firm
- READ MORE: Two Just Stop Oil protesters are charged after Sigourney Weaver's West End performance of The Tempest was stopped by on-stage demo
A former bodyguard to stars, including Uma Thurman, Bradley Cooper and Sir Paul McCartney, says security in London's West End theatres is 'sub-standard' and could put big-name stars in danger.
Michael Chandler, who now trains others in elite security, says the growing trend for A-listers treading the boards - from Tom Holland to Daisy Edgar Jones and Jonathan Bailey - hasn't been matched by increased security at the city's venues.
This week saw Sigourney Weaver's performance to a packed house in The Tempest at Theatre Royal in Drury Lane interrupted when two Just Stop Oil protesters climbed on stage alongside her.
The Aliens star, 75, remained on stage before finally being led away; yesterday saw the two protestors charged with aggravated trespass.
Ex close protection office Chandler, who has guarded VIPs across the world, often with firearm protection, says poor security in the West End all comes down to money
Sigourney Weaver pictured this week moments after the stage she was performing on - at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane - was stormed by Just Stop Oil protestors
In September, Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, who starred opposite Tom Holland in Romeo & Juliet at the Duke of York’s Theatre from May to August 2024 admitted that she didn't 'feel safe' while performing on stage.
She told industry publication The Stage it was an 'incredibly tough' debut in London's theatreland, and urged companies to make performers feel safer on stage, saying: 'I got death threats on Romeo and Juliet – I felt unsafe at work.'
After Amewudah-Rivers' casting was announced, the theatre released a statement saying cast member had faced 'a barrage of deplorable racial abuse online'.
Danger? The security breach at the packed out performance starring Hollywood star Sigourney Weaver, 75, (pictured) shows just how vulnerable A-listers appearing in London's West End can be
Michael Chandler now runs a global security firm but the former bodyguard, who once guarded stars including Uma Thurman, right, Bradley Cooper and Sir Paul McCartney, left, says security at many theatres in London's West End is 'sub-standard'
The pared down version of the Shakespearian classic saw the two lead actors on a stripped back set, with live cameras zooming in on their expressions, which were then flashed up on a screen at the back of the stage.
The actress said afterwards: 'Off the back of the abuse, having to stare down the camera lens and have my face be blown up in this theatre was really tough mentally.'
Chandler, who once protected Whoopi Goldberg during her hit Sister Act run in the West End and has worked for a series of high net worth families including Russian oligarchs and Middle Eastern royalty, told MailOnline often security comes down to finances.
He says: 'Theatres have always been vulnerable - if you look at the layout, it's just a room packed full of people.
'Yes, there's often bag checks, but if you watch them actually doing them, often they're pointless.'
The security expert, who was raised in North London but now lives in Dubai, says: 'The reality is a lot of theatres are reluctant to up security because it's the patrons - you and I - that will end up paying for it.
'Unless the celebrities are willing to put their hands in their pockets more then they're going to be vulnerable.
He adds: 'The vast majority of stars can probably afford to have full-time security but it's a really inconvenient amount of money.'
LW Theatres, which represents the Theatre Royal, didn't respond to MailOnline's request for comment.
Across town in North London, the current sell-out production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at The Almeida, stars two of Britain's biggest rising stars, Normal People star Daisy Edgar-Jones and One Love actor Kingsley Ben-Adir.
When a MailOnline reporter visited the theatre for a recent performance, there were no bag checks in place at the entrance and the audience was allowed to filter out during the two intervals into the street before returning to their seats unchecked.
A representative for the theatre told MailOnline: 'We have security present at the theatre before, during and after the performances. For security reasons, we aren’t willing to publicly share our full security protocols.'
Death threats: British actress Francesca Amewudah-Rivers says there were times when she didn't feel safe on stage playing Juliet in London's West End opposite Tom Holland last year after she received racist abuse
Amewudah-Rivers urged theatres to make performers feel safer on stage, saying: 'I got death threats on Romeo and Juliet – I felt unsafe at work.' (Pictured with Spiderman star Tom Holland)
Chandler adds that often when there is security, it focuses on the streets around the theatre rather than the ticket purchasers.
He explains: 'Often a security person's job at a theatre isn't actually to protect the talent. When I was employed to work on Sister Act, our job was for the crowds outside, it had nothing to do with inside.
'The assumption was made that once everyone was inside, the theatre was secure, which we had big concerns about.'
Should theatres have airport-style security? The former close protection officer says it's tricky one.
'If you start introducing things such as airport-style security, it does attract the concept that it might be a better target for terrorist incidents.'
Daisy Edgar-Jones (pictured) and One Love actor Kingsley Ben-Adir are currently appearing in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at small North London theatre The Almeida - one theatregoer told MailOnline they were surprised at the lack of security for such big stars
The Almeida in North London, where the Tennessee Williams play is currently performing to sell out crowds; audience members can exit the theatre to the street and return to the auditorium twice during shows
The two Just Stop Oil protesters, Richard Weir, 60, of Tynemouth, North Tyneside and Hayley Walsh, 42, of Radcliffe on Trent were charged with aggravated trespass on Thursday, the Metropolitan Police confirmed.
The retired plumber and the university lecturer climbed onto the stage at around 8pm on Monday from the left side of the theatre stage as Weaver delivered the 'Come forth' line.
The pair launched a confetti cannon while a voice said: 'We'll have to stop the show ladies and gentlemen, sorry.'
They were met with boos and whistles from the audience and shouts of 'get them off'. Weaver, who had been sitting on a chair, was escorted off stage.
Weir and Walsh then unfurled an orange banner which read ‘Over 1.5 Degrees is a Global Shipwreck’.
