A couple's trip to the opera turned to farce when their £80 seats gave them no view of the stage.

Alistair Lang took his wife Anne to see Viva La Diva at the Brighton Centre for her birthday.

The event was billed as a "fusion of song and dance" between Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins and prima ballerina Darcey Bussell.

According to the Brighton Centre's publicity, the performers would "introduce new talents they have never before revealed in public".

But as the Langs discovered, for some audience members those talents were to remain hidden.

An enlarged stage was built in the auditorium to accommodate the show complete with a full orchestra. It left some balcony seats which normally have a good view with no vision at all.

Mr Lang, 55, an area sales manager of Hawthorn Close, Saltdean, said: "We were on the balcony on the east side. It is a side view but we couldn't see anything.

"There were a number of people complaining at the same time as us.

"The tickets were a birthday present for my wife. She feels very let down."

An elaborate stage had been built with two levels and a staircase. Mr Lang said: "It looks like a horseshoe. Being to one side, we couldn't see anything. We were lucky to see the odd leg."

The couple had planned a romantic evening out and had been for dinner at Cafe Rouge before the show.

They ended up leaving the concert in the first half and catching a bus home.

Mrs Lang, 51, a team leader in a bank, said: "It is a real disappointment, to say the least. There was nothing that said it would be a restricted view.

"We couldn't see anything. My husband went down to speak to the manager and people started moving to unoccupied seats. By the time we got there, there weren't any."

Penny Parker, business manager for the Brighton Centre, said the viewing problem had affected other venues for the Viva La Diva show and anyone who feels their view was marred in Brighton can apply for a full refund.

She said: "We were aware there were issues with seating. Once they arrived, the full horror of what was going on became clear.

"Some people had a very bad evening and we are really sorry. It was a small number of people out of 3,500. Those who had an issue should contact us."

Other members of the audience have written to The Argus to complain.

Michael Game, of Roundwood, High Salvington, Worthing, said spotlights shone into the audience's eyes. He and his wife left early with headaches.

Nigel Emery, of Wagtall Close, Horsham, described it as "the worst stage-managed production I have ever seen".

Have you ever had a disappointing experience at a show? Tell us below