A performance of Wicked at Mayflower Theatre was halted due to a technical fault.

Midway through the performance yesterday evening (June 11), technicians came onstage and beckoned off the actors before the curtain was drawn.

For 16 minutes, members of the audience were left wondering if the show would go on.

Among those in the audience was avid theatregoer James Christopher, 48, who watches a few shows a year at the Mayflower and often attends with his friends and family.

READ MORE: Daily Echo review of Wicked on stage at Mayflower Theatre

Production shots of Wicked (Image: Mayflower Theatre)James said of the incident: “The audience was a little stunned at first, but the Mayflower did a great job of keeping us informed through the overhead announcements and updates from members of staff.

“A lady came onto the stage and said that a technical issue meant that it was not safe for the actors to carry on with the performance.

“It was certainly a bit different from the usual performance – we did begin to get concerned that we would go home without seeing the show."

But as the old saying goes, the show must go on - and Elphaba, Glinda and company were back onstage Defying Gravity by 8pm.

James continued: “The theatre was very apologetic and did what they could in what must have been a nightmare for them.

“The show was brilliant – the cast had amazing voices; the set and costumes were outstanding and it would have been such a shame to miss it.”

A spokesperson for the Wicked production at Mayflower Theatre said: “All of Wicked’s technical equipment is tested thoroughly prior to every performance and unfortunately, on this occasion a technical fault occurred after these checks had taken place.

“The safety of our cast and crew is of the upmost importance and to therefore ensure their safety, the production was paused for 16 minutes."

“Our technicians worked quickly to rectify this fault and enable the performance to safely resume as swiftly as possible.”