Dance chief ‘left with bite injuries after theatre attack’

A DANCE company chief executive was bitten during a terrifying attack in front of screaming theatre-goers, including dozens of schoolchildren.

Jennifer Coleman-Peers, below, was targeted from behind by a man carrying flowers and a box of chocolates during an afternoon stage show.

It is understood the Phoenix Dance boss’s hair was yanked violently and she was grabbed around the neck. She also had bite marks on her arms and face after her attacker allegedly tried to sink his teeth into her nose.

A 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, a day after the incident at Leeds Playhouse.

The assault began after a man entered the auditorium during the final dress rehearsal for Phoenix Dance’s new show, Belonging: Loss. Legacy. Love.

Witnesses said he sat, hidden by a bouquet of flowers, directly behind Ms Coleman-Peers, then pounced as the performance was in full flow.

Theatre staff raced to Ms ColemanPeers’ aid and wrestled her attacker off amid screams from the audience.

Police were called as the man, who was ejected from the building, fled into the city centre. Ms Coleman-Peers was taken to hospital for treatment.

A witness who saw last Wednesday’s attack said: “Everyone was enjoying the show when all hell seemed to break loose. Initially nobody seemed to know what was going on, but there was suddenly lots of screaming and theatre staff running around.

“It was very shocking for everybody involved.” West Yorkshire Police said the arrested man was later released on bail pending inquiries.

A force spokesman said: “At 2.46pm on Wednesday February 21, police were called to an incident at Leeds Playhouse where a woman had been assaulted.

“The victim was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries that were not life-threatening.”

Phoenix, which was formed in 1981, is one of the country’s most renowned dance companies. It operates out of the heart of Leeds’ cultural quarter, alongside Northern Ballet.

Phoenix Dance did not to respond to a request for comment.