A Royal Opera House heckler has been banned for life after he booed Black 12-year-old performer Malakai M. Bayoh.
According to The New York Post, the rude audience member went out his way to insult Malakai during a recent production of George Frideric Handel’s “Alcina”–an amusing rendition of the original 1735 opera. The show reportedly took place at London’s prestigious Royal Opera House, where Malakai played the role of Oberto.
As the 12-year-old performer stepped onto the stage, he was disrespectfully interrupted by the heckler who yelled, “rubbish!” He didn’t let the hate deter him, though, as he continued flexing his acting skills. The audience members quickly caught on, prompting them to drown out the heckler’s outbursts with roaring applause and a standing ovation.
Malakai taking his bow this evening at the Royal Opera House. #rohalcina pic.twitter.com/F4L51TFeNY
— Cardinal Vaughan Music (@CVMSMusic) November 8, 2022
The unidentified man eventually exited stage left and the Royal Opera House banned him from the venue for life.
“Unfortunately, the opening night of Alcina featured an audience member who disrupted the show and the excellent performance by young singer Malakai M Bayoh,” the institution said in a Twitter statement. “We are appalled that a member of the audience behaved in this way and steps have been taken to ensure the audience member in question does not return to the Royal Opera House.”
Unfortunately, the opening night of Alcina featured an audience member who disrupted the show and the excellent performance by young singer Malakai M Bayoh.
[1/2]— Royal Ballet and Opera (@rbo_org) November 9, 2022
The institution additionally released another statement praising Malakai’s talent and performance.
“We would like to congratulate Malakai M. Bayoh for his stellar performance as Oberto in our first night of Alcina,” a spokesperson said. “Malakai is astonishingly talented – bringing great acting and beautiful singing to the role – a huge accomplishment for such a young singer.”
We are appalled that a member of the audience behaved in this way and steps have been taken to ensure the audience member in question does not return to the Royal Opera House.
[2/2]— Royal Ballet and Opera (@rbo_org) November 9, 2022
A writer and reporter for The Times who was at the performance, Rebecca Franks, tweeted about the Black child’s unfortunate experience.
“He booed and heckled the young boy singing (in a lovely way) Oberto,” she tweeted. “Thankfully, the rest of the audience drowned the heckler out with extra-loud, heartfelt applause. But, seriously, who boos a child?”
Vile behaviour from one audience member at Alcina at the Royal Opera House. He booed and heckled the young boy singing (in a lovely way) Oberto. Thankfully, the rest of the audience drowned the heckler out with extra-loud, heartfelt applause. But, seriously, who boos a child?!
— Rebecca Franks (@Becca_JF21) November 8, 2022
Malaki reportedly first made his debut at the Royal Opera House in a 2021 production of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute.”
