Homophobic abuse inquiry launched after show cancelled

Police are investigating a report of homophobic abuse after a theatre cancelled a show amid claims an actor was attacked.

A member of Chichester Festival Theatre told the audience shortly before a scheduled performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream on Tuesday that the show would not take place due to an assault on a member of the cast.

The theatre said on Thursday the actor was subjected to "an appallingly abusive attack", and was "aggressively hounded and physically pursued through the centre of Chichester" before the scheduled show.

Sussex Police said it was investigating a report of homophobic abuse at about 18:00 BST on Tuesday and was treating the incident as a hate crime.

The theatre said: "The victim, company and staff were understandably extremely shaken by the incident and as a result, we took the decision to cancel the evening performance."

The cast member was not injured and performances will resume on Thursday and continue until Saturday, the theatre said.

The theatre added: "We are profoundly sad and dismayed that such an atrocious thing has happened here in Chichester, and know that the vast majority of our fellow citizens will share our repugnance.

"We will do everything in our power to support the actor."

Sussex Police said: "Police are investigating a report of homophobic abuse by three young men on bicycles towards a man walking in a car park behind East Street and Little London, in Chichester, at about 18:00 BST on 13 October."

"The incident is being treated as a hate crime."

The force is appealing for witnesses.

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