'I haven't left my house, I'm scared' says Mean Girls actor as Belfast shows cancelled over violence

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. 'I haven't left my house, I'm scared' says Mean Girls actor as Belfast shows cancelled over violence25 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GooglePeter CoulterBBC News NIPaul ColtasVivian Panka (centre) was due to play Regina George in the Mean Girls musical in BelfastOne of the lead cast of the Mean Girls UK tour has said she has not left her house and is frightened following disorder in Belfast that has led to the show being cancelled. Vivian Panka is the first black actress to play the role of Regina George. Posting on TikTok, Panka said she has kept her blinds closed since the trouble started on Tuesday.

Disorder has been breaking out across Northern Ireland after a man was seriously injured in a knife attack. The musical was due to open at the Grand Opera House in Belfast on Tuesday evening but was cancelled due to planned protests. Producers then announced the Wednesday evening and Thursday matinee were off but have now confirmed the entire rest of the run has been cancelled.

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Live updates: Police vow 'robust' response after two days of riots in Northern IrelandDisorder in Northern Ireland: 'A van was set alight and pushed towards my home'Posting on social media, Panka said she was "very sad that the situation is happening right now". "People are saying and doing things that I completely don't agree with, and it's very scary to be here right now, especially as a person of colour - but just I'm worried for everyone in our company," she said. "There were fires in the street.

The company that I work for and the theatre have decided to cancel yesterday's show, which was good. "Paul ColtasThe Mean Girls musical comedy is based on the hit 2004 filmPanka said she had received angry messages from fans about the cancellation of the shows and she asked that people consider how she is feeling at the moment. "I just wanted to address something because especially, for me, as a person of colour, and people are actively targeting black people.

"I just really wanna ask people to think before they send me a DM because I haven't left my house because I am scared to do so. "My blinds, I just opened them slightly to make this video, but they have been closed. "Panka said this was not a case of an actor being ill but it was a safety issue.

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"I'm just very careful because I'm not even from this country," she said. "It's not our choice to not come in. And it's not just for us, it's for the audience and it's for everyone who works at the theatre too.

"PAFaye Tozer, from the band Steps, was also due to perform in Belfast as Regina's "cool mom"The show was due to run for two weeks from 9 June until 20 June. News NI has contacted Sonia Friedman Productions and representatives of Vivian Panka for comment. The Grand Opera House issued a statement which said: "Given the uncertainty caused by the unrest in recent days, the producers of Mean Girls have taken the difficult decision to cancel the musical's run at the Grand Opera House.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.