Palais Theatre Performance Halted Mid-Show as Audience Member Dies
A performance on the opening night of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival was halted and cancelled when a guest fell ill and passed away.
The tragedy occurred Wednesday, March 26th at the iconic Palais Theatre in St. Kilda, which, since 2017, has been operated by Live Nation.
In a statement to The Music Network, a Live Nation spokesperson comments: “We are deeply saddened about the passing of a patron at last night’s show. Our thoughts are with their family during this difficult time. We are grateful to our staff and the patrons who acted quickly to provide first aid, and the first responders on site for their swift and professional assistance.”
Organisers of the annual event shed light on the situation with a social post on Wednesday evening.
“Melbourne International Comedy Festival regrets to confirm that there was a medical emergency while the Opening Night Allstars Supershow was taking place this evening at the Palais Theatre,” the message reads.
“The show was stopped and cancelled. The Festival will be in touch with all ticket holders tomorrow.”
According to reporters from The Age, attendees noted that a man in the audience was seen receiving CPR before the lights in the venue were turned on and patrons were advised that the remainder of the show had been cancelled.
Victorian police later confirmed that the man died at the scene.
“Police will prepare a report for the Coroner following the death of a man in St Kilda on Wednesday, 26 March,” a statement given to Variety Australia on Thursday morning reads.
“Emergency services were called to a theatre on Lower Esplanade about 9pm. A man, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”
The 2025 edition of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is scheduled to run through to April 20th.
In what is the festival’s 39th year, over 1,000 performers will perform across 133 venues in Melbourne, with a number of high calibre local and international talent scheduled to perform including Rhys Darby, Urzila Carlson, Danny Bhoy, Wil Anderson, Guy Montgomery, Becky Lucas and Dave Hughes.