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Actors hit by stones in 'homophobic' attack in Southampton Actors targeted in 'homophobic' attack in Southampton
(about 3 hours later)
Stones were thrown at two actors on their way to a performance at a theatre in what was described as a "cowardly homophobic hate crime". Two actors were attacked on their way to a theatre performance in what was described as a "cowardly homophobic hate crime".
The two women were starring in Rotterdam, which tells the story of a young gay woman, at the NST Campus theatre in Southampton. Lucy Jane Parkinson and Rebecca Banatvala were starring in Rotterdam, which tells the story of a young gay woman, at Southampton's NST Campus.
The theatre company said one of the actors was slightly injured. The theatre company said they were left "hugely shaken" after an object was thrown at them on Saturday afternoon.
The attack led to the final performances of the acclaimed play being cancelled on Saturday.
Hampshire police said it had received a report of homophobic abuse.Hampshire police said it had received a report of homophobic abuse.
'Hugely shaken' The final two performances of the Olivier-award winning play by Jon Brittain were cancelled as a result.
The Olivier-award winning play by Jon Brittain had been due for its final performances of a three-day run. The couple said they were walking to the theatre for the matinee performance on Saturday when Ms Parkinson was hit by an object - possibly "stones", according to police - apparently thrown from a passing car.
A statement from the show's production company, Hartshorn-Hook, said the two actors were left "hugely shaken from this cowardly, homophobic hate crime". Ms Parkinson said as she kissed her partner, fellow actor Ms Banatvala, she was struck and knocked to the ground, leaving her with slight injuries.
It said after verbally assaulting the pair, the assailants threw stones towards them from a car window on Hill Lane. She said they heard "young boys laughing" as the car drove off.
One of the women was slightly injured when she was struck on the face by a stone. Ms Parkinson said: "We're just two people looking for happiness like everybody else.
Announcing the cancellation of Saturday's two performances, a statement said: "We are devastated that this kind of behaviour is still so prevalent, a fact which reinforces the importance of this play's message. 'Shocked and angry'
"I don't really understand why we're met with aggression, from strangers to strangers."
Ms Banatvala said she was left "really shocked, upset and angry".
"It's made realise the importance of this play and stories like it," she said. "It needs to be seen as something that is normal and regular and isn't something to be feared or attacked."
A statement from the show's production company, Hartshorn-Hook, said the pair were left "hugely shaken from this cowardly, homophobic hate crime".
Announcing the cancellation of Saturday's two performances, it added: "We are devastated that this kind of behaviour is still so prevalent, a fact which reinforces the importance of this play's message.
"We are doing all we can to support the team and thank our audiences and colleagues for their support.""We are doing all we can to support the team and thank our audiences and colleagues for their support."
Police reportPolice report
NST director Sam Hodges tweeted: "I am extremely sad that this sort of appalling behaviour is still happening anywhere, let alone in a city where we have worked so hard to promote a culture of tolerance, inclusivity and civic pride."NST director Sam Hodges tweeted: "I am extremely sad that this sort of appalling behaviour is still happening anywhere, let alone in a city where we have worked so hard to promote a culture of tolerance, inclusivity and civic pride."
A Hampshire police spokeswoman said: "We have received a report from a third party relating to an incident which happened on Hill Lane, Southampton.A Hampshire police spokeswoman said: "We have received a report from a third party relating to an incident which happened on Hill Lane, Southampton.
"It has been reported that homophobic abuse was shouted at two women, and stones thrown at them, by a the occupants of a passing car."It has been reported that homophobic abuse was shouted at two women, and stones thrown at them, by a the occupants of a passing car.
"The two women involved do not wish to pursue any police action.""The two women involved do not wish to pursue any police action."
The incident comes a few days after it was revealed that two women were left covered in blood following a homophobic attack on a night bus in London.The incident comes a few days after it was revealed that two women were left covered in blood following a homophobic attack on a night bus in London.