AN AUDIENCE was left fuming in Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre after showbiz bosses were forced to cancel the weekend’s hit musical at the last minute.

More than 2,000 people were in their seats moments before a performance of the show, We Will Rock You, was due to start, on Saturday evening, when electrical problems sparked disaster.

The theatre was eventually plunged into pitch darkness for 20 minutes while engineers attempted to solve the problem.

However, theatre bosses were finally forced to concede the show could not go on, which is the first time in more than quarter of a century this has happened at the historic theatre.

Bournemouth woman Lindsey Wylie, who had travelled to Southampton with a party of five for the performance, said: “We are absolutely furious.”

The 38-year-old from Northbourne explained: “It was handled so badly and we were just left there in the dark for 20 minutes.

“We’ve waited a long time to see this show and we forked out a lot of money for travel, tickets and hotel rooms.

“Then at the last minute, as we’re sitting there waiting, we’re told it has been cancelled.”

Around 2,300 people paid £40 per ticket to see the hit show, which is written by Ben Elton and based on Queen songs.

Lindsey said: “The show finishes in one week so we’ve no option to come back.

“We’ll also lose out on the money for our hotel and travel costs.”

Mayflower chief executive Dennis Hall said that staff will be contacting patrons to offer full refunds or tickets for other performances, subject to availability.

Engineers were working on the problem yesterday.

Mr Hall said: “We are extremely sorry that the performance had to be cancelled.

“We know the patrons were very disappointed not to see the show.

“I would like to ask patrons to bear with us whilst we do our utmost to contact everybody.”