Brighton's Theatre Royal evacuated during Madama Butterfly opera

The Theatre Royal in Brighton was evacuated on Saturday evening as opera lovers returned from the interval of a performance of Madama Butterfly.

Fire crews and paramedics quickly arrived on scene.

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A spokeswoman from the theatre said emergency services were called to a medical incident and thanked doctors and nurses in the audience who helped before emergency services arrived.

She added that they were stood outside for roughly half an hour before heading back into the venue.

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Madama Butterfly came to the Theatre Royal in a one-off performance from the Ukrainian Opera.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said they were called to the Theatre Royal at around 9pm on Saturday evening and left around 20 minutes later.

A spokeswoman for the theatre said: "Following a medical incident in the audience during the interval of Madama Butterfly on Saturday, May 4, it became necessary to extend the interval and evacuate the auditorium.

"The performance was resumed after a 40-minute delay. We're very grateful to the doctors and nurses who assisted the venue team in caring for the individual before the emergency services arrived. We’d like to thank all customers for their patience and understanding."