Elvis Presley fans clashed with theatre-goers after a late night brawl erupted in a bar at one of the South West’s biggest venues.

Audiences at the Poole Lighthouse in Dorset had been watching a King of Rock and Roll tribute act and the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie.

The Elvis impersonator was singing in the building’s 1,500-seat concert hall while the star-studded musical was being held in the 669-seat theatre.

But after the shows ended on Thursday, violence broke in the bar area at about 10.40pm.

A fleet of police cars descended on the venue and a 56-year-old man was taken to hospital by paramedics after suffering cuts to his face.

Two women, aged 19 and 52, were arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.

A 19-year-old from Bournemouth was arrested on suspicion of affray and assaulting a police officer, and a 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault.

Hundreds of people had gathered to watch critically-acclaimed Elvis impersonator Shawn Klush, who is currently on his Elvis World Tour in the UK and US.

The first floor bar at the Poole Lighthouse venue where violence broke out among two audiences
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The first floor bar at the Poole Lighthouse venue where violence broke out among two audiences

A stone’s throw away, theatre fans enjoyed Thoroughly Modern Millie, which is based on the Academy Award-winning film starring Julie Andrews.

Coronation Street and Emmerdale star Hayley Tammadon took the lead role in the production, which is set at the height of the Jazz Age in New York City.

Susie Carver, a spokesman for Poole Lighthouse Theatre, said: ‘A small isolated incident broke out at the end of the evening between visitors to the theatre.

‘Security was on hand and our staff dealt with things swiftly and efficiently, administering first aid where required and calling police and ambulance to the scene.

The Poole Lighthouse in Dorset, which has a 1,500-seat concert hall and a 669-seat theatre
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The Poole Lighthouse in Dorset, which has a 1,500-seat concert hall and a 669-seat theatre

Poster advertising Elvis impersonator Shawn Klush's world tour

Poster advertising the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie

Posters advertising Elvis impersonator Shawn Klush’s world tour (left) and the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie (right)

‘Nobody else was involved in the incident and this morning we are helping police officers with their investigation and examining our CCTV footage.

‘Fortunately incidents of this nature are extremely rare at the Lighthouse.’

Police cars gathered outside the Poole Lighthouse in Dorset after violence erupted in the bar area. Officers arrested four people following the incident
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Police cars gathered outside the Poole Lighthouse in Dorset after violence erupted in the bar area. Officers arrested four people following the incident

Police cars parked outside the Poole Lighthouse arts venue after they were called to the venue at about 10.40pm
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Police cars parked outside the Poole Lighthouse arts venue after they were called to the venue at about 10.40pm