Audience Splattered with Stage Blood

Front row members of the audience attending American Psycho the Musical at the Sydney Opera House got an unexpected immersive theatre experience when they were splattered with fake blood.

Avid theatregoer and Stage Whispers subscriber Louis Vella was attending a preview of the musical on June 4 when he got soaked.

“The shower curtain, instead of going up behind the actor it went in front. This caused a malfunction. It was everywhere. The lady next to me said we have blood all over us,” he said. “The seats copped it as well.”

The scene, just before the end of the first act, caused a delay during the interval as staff had to clean all the blood off the seats.

“The poor ladies next to me were screaming, as their Pierre Cardin jackets were splattered.”

At intermission, staff at the Opera House helped them wipe off the blood as well as possible.

Louis said some members of the audience thought they had come fancy dress in tune with the theme of the musical.

The theatregoer said he is used to malfunctions during previews – recalling that the bus in Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical broke down when he was in the audience.

Louis said he has learnt his lesson. “Don’t buy a cheap ticket if there was blood involved.”

He thanked the producer for offering to pick up his dry-cleaning bill, but is disappointed that an offer made on the night of a return ticket as compensation is not able to be met.

“I just got an email and they have told me the season has sold out.”

Response from the Producer Luckiest Productions.

"The curtain did fall behind the actor and the blood splatter was only a slight spray-off from the edge of the curtain."