The producers of hit Broadway musical Billy Elliot: The Musical are reportedly facing a public liability lawsuit after two members of the audience were hit by a stage prop and injured.
The alleged incident occurred in 2009, during a performance in the Imperial Theatre in New York. Two women from Missouri, Cynthia Noblit and Elaine Rosen, who were sitting in the front row at the theatre claim that an object flew off the stage during a musical number in the first act and hit them both in the face.
According to the claimant’s lawyers, Rosen has suffered permanent scarring on her face and Noblit was concussed following the incident.
As a result, the women are suing the producers of Billy Elliot: The Musical for a reported £2.67 million ($4 million). The lawsuit accuses the producers of:
“general negligence (for) arranging a hazardous and dangerous choreography”
The owners of the theatre have apparently made adjustments to the show to prevent future incidents, as well as extending an invitation to the injured women to come back and see the Tony-award-winning musical.
As with any event involving members of the public, the show, its producers and theatres are likely to be covered by professional insurance for public liability issues such as this.