A Suffolk seafront theatre is creating a 'no dancing zone' to separate audience members who wish to remain seated from those that wish to dance and prevent the two groups 'annoying' each other.

The Spa Pavilion in Felixstowe has demarcated the seats behind row K in its auditorium as being for standing and dancing, while seats in rows in front of K, which are closest to the stage, are for seated audience members only.

A spokesperson for the theatre said there had been a change in audience behaviour since the COVID-19 pandemic with more customers wishing to get up and dance.

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She said: "Post-Covid, audience behaviour is something of a contentious issue. We seem to have two distinct groups of theatregoers now - one that wants to stand and dance for music shows and one that doesn't.

"Sadly, these two groups are often upsetting each other, so we wanted to rectify this issue, with the introduction of a new 'no-dancing zone'.  

"We're working to ensure that everyone has the best possible experience, here at The Spa Pavilion". 

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The spokesperson said the new arrangement would be 'obvious' to customers when booking tickets.

However, customers with tickets who wished to change them due to the new arrangements will be able to arrange 'like-for-like' swaps at no extra charge or booking fee.

Audience members with tickets in rows in front of K will still be able to move to an aisle behind row K if they wish to dance.

READ MORE: Felixstowe news

Nationally, there has been an increase in reports of rowdy behaviour involving theatregoers.

In August, four audience members were removed by police after allegedly becoming 'rowdy and abusive' during a performance of Grease the Musical at London's Dominion Theatre. 

READ MORE: Suffolk news