A HANDFUL of theatre-goers staged a dramatic walkout as actor Peter Bowles missed another Chichester show. The veteran actor, who has been complaining of suffering from a virus, left the stage last week when he was about to perform his taxing role in The Waltz of the Toreadors. He said he was leaving to feed his cat - and promptly left the stage.

There were hopes that he would resume his role at the Minerva Theatre yesterday. And although he made a successful return for the matinee, he failed to appear for the sell-out evening performance. There were groans from the disappointed audience when assistant director Derek Bond walked in front of the 300-strong audience and revealed the bad news.

Some people got out of their seats and left then. Others waited for the lights to go up on the show - and then got out of their seats and went home. In true showbiz style, the show had to go on.

Mr Bowles' role was read by Nicholas Woodeson, Mr Woodeson's by Julien Ball, and Mr Ball's by Alex Waldmann, who is currently rehearsing for the forthcoming production of Hobson's Choice - and they did it magnificently. The audience - who paid £25 each for the seats - were treated to the sight of actors going through the entire two-hour show holding a script and reading their lines. It was difficult for the lecherous general to be so hands-on when he was clutching a script - with his highlighted lines easily visible to the audience.

But it said much for their professionalism that few others left the arena - and almost all of them returned after the interval to see the conclusion of the show. Mr Bond told the audience: "Peter Bowles struggled through a show this afternoon and felt he wasn't well enough to do the part justice tonight. "We are sorry and he is very disappointed and wanted me to pass on his apologies to you all.

" The audience gave the actors a tremendous ovation at the end of the show - although several said they would be writing to the box office to voice their disappointment. Mr Bowles is expected to return to the stage tonight. Anna Evans, of Chichester Festival Theatre, said today: "Mr Bowles' condition has steadily improved over the week and he is now fit enough to continue the run.

" Did you see the show? Have you seen a Peter Bowles performance? Let us know what YOU think.

Click here to have your say. A HANDFUL of theatre-goers staged a dramatic walkout as actor Peter Bowles missed another Chichester show.