A theatregoer with learning disabilities was ordered out of a performance at the New Wimbledon Theatre and compared to a drunk by the show's producer.
The audience member and his carer were asked to leave the musical Shout! by James Woods because they were making "too much noise".
One onlooker, who also works with disabled people, branded Mr Woods' behaviour on March 17 as "ridiculous" and accused him of being rude and aggressive.
Sue Fretton was watching the musical with 15 members of the Surrey Special Olympics team and was sitting near the people involved.
"Music is a passion for disabled people. Every so often one of them would shout out and then be quiet," she explained.
Ms Fretton said that they were not disturbing the cast or the rest of the audience, but claims that Mr Woods "pulled an usher over to him and said get them out of the theatre'".
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By this time the carers had decided to leave anyway, she said, and were moving the disabled person - who was wheelchair bound and has learning difficulties - towards the exit.
Ms Fretton added: "Then he stood in front of them and said "the reason I've asked you to leave is because you're upsetting the other customers".
According to Ms Fretton, the producer then appeared again at the end of the show as the general manager was taking complaints.
"He tried to put his point across but said 'when people are drunk they have to be removed'," she said.
Mr Woods, of producers Mark Goucher Ltd, said the noises were "loud screams" which, had they continued, would have forced the show to stop.
He described the event as "unfortunate", but said the carer had a responsibility to remove the person in question.
A spokesman for the theatre said: "The point of view of the producer is categorically not that of the New Wimbledon Theatre and we are extremely sorry for the offence his comments caused."
He added that staff offered the guests assistance and invited them to return to their seats after a break outside, but they decided to leave the venue.
Ms Fretton praised the reaction of the theatre staff, who were "horrified" by the producer's behaviour, and said disabled people were normally treated excellently at the venue.
"It's so disability friendly - this won't put people off going," she said.
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