Heckler who shouted at 12-year-old actor banned for life from Royal Opera House

10 November 2022, 11:35 | Updated: 10 November 2022, 12:12

A man has been banned from the Royal Opera House for heckling a child actor
A man has been banned from the Royal Opera House for heckling a child actor. Picture: ROH/Marc Brenner/Alamy

By Daisy Stephens

A man has been handed a lifetime ban from the Royal Opera House for heckling a 12-year-old actor during a production Handel's opera Alcina.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Malakai M Bayoh was singing his lines at the opening night of the opera on Tuesday when a man in the 2,000-strong audience shouted "rubbish" and booed him.

Other audience members shushed the heckler, who left soon after.

The crowd loudly applauded Bayoh, who has been well-reviewed for his performance.

Read more: John Lewis releases 'gorgeous' tear-jerking Christmas advert raising awareness of children in foster care

Read more: Police boss says sorry for arresting LBC reporter but tries to blame media for covering M25 protests

Financial Times associate arts editor Josh Spero, who was in the audience, called the incident the "nastiest thing".

"A 12-year-old boy was sweetly singing his lines when a man in the audience yelled, 'Rubbish!' and booed him," he tweeted.

"Who would do that to a child?

"Once the boy was done, the audience responded with wild applause and cheering."

Bayoh has been well-reviewed for his performance
Bayoh has been well-reviewed for his performance. Picture: ROH/Marc Brenner

In a statement, the Royal Opera House said that "steps had been taken" to ensure that the heckler does not return to the opera house.

"We would like to congratulate Malakai M Bayoh for his stellar performance as Oberto in our first night of Alcina", the statement said.

"Malakai is astonishingly talented - bringing great acting and beautiful singing to the role - a huge accomplishment for such a young singer.

Read more: Schoolboy, 14, 'stabbed IT worker to death' in mass supermarket brawl

Read more: Suella Braverman demands crackdown on eco 'extremists' who are getting 'out of control'

"Unfortunately, the opening night of Alcina featured an audience member who disrupted the show and Malakia's excellent performance.

"We are appalled that a member of the audience behaved in this way and our support is with Malakia and the cast and creative team of Alcina.

"Steps have been taken to ensure the audience member in question does not return to the Royal Opera House."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Keith Edun, 47, used the messaging app “Kik” to spread vile images of children

Predator who encouraged man to rape a baby after sharing vile images of children online is jailed for 21 years

Breaking
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during the 61st Munich Security Conference on February 15, 2025 in Munich, Germany.

Zelenskyy calls for creation of ‘European army’ as he warns Russia 'will pull Europe apart' if not defeated

The woman who said she was raped by rappers and business moguls Jay-Z and Sean "Diddy" Combs in 2000, when she was 13, has dropped her civil lawsuit against both men.

Woman who accused Jay-Z and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs of raping her when she was 13 drops lawsuit

Liam Payne died last Wednesday.

One Direction star Liam Payne was 'sectioned' after near-fatal overdose months before death, close friend claims

Hamas hands over 3 Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip to Red Cross

Hamas parades three more Israeli hostages on stage before being freed - as hundreds of Palestinians to be released

uk british national lottery euromillions ticket with picks

Winning numbers revealed as single UK EuroMillions ticket holder scoops massive £65million Valentine’s Day jackpot

The Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt

Manhunt launched after woman seriously injured at village pub in Valentine's Day 'shooting'

Rob and Lindsey Burrow a few weeks before he died

Rob Burrow's wife reveals heartbreaking moment she knew rugby league star 'couldn't go on' with MND struggle

Axel Rudakubana will be 'target number one' in prison

Southport killer Axel Rudakubana's sentence won't be referred to Court of Appeal despite claims it's 'unduly lenient'

The damaged shield

'Risk of radioactive leak' after Russian 'high explosive' drone hits Chernobyl, causing 'significant damage'

The fire broke out at the Chiltern Firehouse

Fire engulfs celebrity haunt Chiltern Firehouse as 100 evacuated from luxury hotel

Trump confirms he will meet Starmer in Washington 'in the next few weeks'

Trump to meet with Starmer in Washington 'in the next few weeks' - as JD Vance slams Europe in fiery speech

Both Meghan and Kate shared Valentine's pictures

Harry and Meghan share sweet Valentine's photo after William and Kate also post romantic picture

Jaden Sheriff.

Man found guilty of killing ex-girlfriend's neighbour over 'blue balls', sentenced to life imprisonment

The woman was attacked by a shark

Horror as woman loses both hands after being mauled by shark as husband desperately fights it off

United States Vice-President JD Vance, second right, meets with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, third left, during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Munich

'Putin is a liar': Zelenskyy's warning to Trump as Ukraine's leader voices concern over 'risky' phone calls with Russia