Police are investigating after two actors were victims of a “cowardly homophobic attack” when they were pelted with stones as they made their way to a theatre in Southampton.

Lucy Jane Parkinson and Rebecca Banatvala are starring in Rotterdam at the NST Campus theatre in the city, and were targeted from a moving car as they embraced.

The producers of the play, which is a story about a young gay woman, said the assailants verbally abused them and threw stones from their car window. One of the actors was struck in the face.

“They have sustained only minor injuries but are hugely shaken from this cowardly, homophobic hate crime,” the show’s production company, Hartshorn-Hook, said.

The final two performances of the Olivier Award-winning play by Jon Brittain were cancelled as a result.

Hampshire Police said it was investigating a report of homophobic abuse.

The actors said in a statement: “The attack happened because we were embracing. There’s no mistake that this was a homophobic hate crime.

“It was a cowardly attack as it was a moving car. Our community shouldn’t have to tolerate this.

“This is why we have Pride. We should take all steps we can in the education system to help to eradicate this aggressive ignorance from strangers to other strangers.”

A Hampshire police spokeswoman said: “We have received a report from a third party relating to an incident which happened on Hill Lane, Southampton.

“It has been reported that homophobic abuse was shouted at two women, and stones thrown at them, by the occupants of a passing car. The matter is under investigation.”

The attack comes just days after a gay couple were assaulted and robbed by a group of men on a London night bus.

Melania Geymonat and her girlfriend, Chris, were assaulted after refusing to kiss each other on demand for a group of young men. Five people have been arrested.