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Piccadilly Theatre evacuated after ceiling collapse during show Piccadilly Theatre evacuated after ceiling collapse during show
(about 1 hour later)
Small number of theatregoers left with minor injuries at West End venue during performance of Death of a Salesman Four theatregoers taken to hospital for treatment after incident during performance of Death of a Salesman
A theatre in London’s West End has been evacuated after part of its ceiling collapsed during a show.A theatre in London’s West End has been evacuated after part of its ceiling collapsed during a show.
Emergency services were called to Piccadilly Theatre shortly before 8pm on Wednesday after part of the ceiling crashed down into the auditorium.Emergency services were called to Piccadilly Theatre shortly before 8pm on Wednesday after part of the ceiling crashed down into the auditorium.
Witnesses described hearing screams from audience members, who had been watching a performance of Death of a Salesman.Witnesses described hearing screams from audience members, who had been watching a performance of Death of a Salesman.
The Metropolitan police said a “few” people had suffered minor injuries and that emergency services remained on scene. Three men and two women were treated by paramedics at the scene for cuts and injuries caused by falling debris, London ambulance service said. “Four of them were then taken to hospital and one was discharged after treatment,” a spokesman said. “A further two people declined treatment at the scene.”
The London ambulance service, London fire brigade and Met police were called to the scene and road closures are in place around the theatre, Scotland Yard said. London fire brigade said: “Firefighters are attending the Piccadilly Theatre where a section of plaster has fallen from the ceiling during a performance. Around 1,100 people evacuated the theatre before we arrived.”
The Metropolitan police said emergency services remained on scene and road closures were in place around the theatre.
Journalist Martin George, 41, who was sitting in the Grand Circle, said there were screams coming from the audience as part of the ceiling came crashing down.Journalist Martin George, 41, who was sitting in the Grand Circle, said there were screams coming from the audience as part of the ceiling came crashing down.
George said: “About 10 minutes into the performance you could hear this slight dripping sound in the [Grand] circle and people were looking around, wondering what was happening, but the play carried on.George said: “About 10 minutes into the performance you could hear this slight dripping sound in the [Grand] circle and people were looking around, wondering what was happening, but the play carried on.
“As the minutes passed, the dripping became more frequent and it sounded like more water was coming through the ceiling, causing a few people to get up and move.“As the minutes passed, the dripping became more frequent and it sounded like more water was coming through the ceiling, causing a few people to get up and move.
“The sound eventually got so loud that we stood up and started to leave, as we were wondering what was going to happen.“The sound eventually got so loud that we stood up and started to leave, as we were wondering what was going to happen.
“Then, as we stood up, this huge chunk of ceiling, about three to four metres across, crashed down. There were people screaming at that point and everyone got up and streamed down the stairs.”“Then, as we stood up, this huge chunk of ceiling, about three to four metres across, crashed down. There were people screaming at that point and everyone got up and streamed down the stairs.”
The City of Westminster police said on Twitter: “Everyone is out of the theatre. A few people have suffered minor injuries. Road closures in place. Motorists advised to use alternative routes.”The City of Westminster police said on Twitter: “Everyone is out of the theatre. A few people have suffered minor injuries. Road closures in place. Motorists advised to use alternative routes.”
The theatre had been showing the critically acclaimed restaging of Arthur Miller’s play, with Wendell Pierce in the title role. The theatre had been showing the critically acclaimed restaging of Arthur Miller’s play, with Wendell Pierce in the role of the protagonist, Willy Loman. Pierce told a crowd outside the theatre: “I did not mean for it to go like this. We are so honoured that you came tonight. We are so sorry that unfortunately this happened.”
Video was shared on Twitter of the evacuated audience gathering in the street:Video was shared on Twitter of the evacuated audience gathering in the street:
The Met police tweeted: “Everyone is out of the theatre. A few people have suffered minor injuries. Road closures in place. Motorists advised to use alternative routes.”The Met police tweeted: “Everyone is out of the theatre. A few people have suffered minor injuries. Road closures in place. Motorists advised to use alternative routes.”
It is not the first time a ceiling has collapsed in one of London’s theatres. In 2013, 80 people were injured - seven seriously - after part of the Apollo theatre’s ceiling collapsed on top of them.It is not the first time a ceiling has collapsed in one of London’s theatres. In 2013, 80 people were injured - seven seriously - after part of the Apollo theatre’s ceiling collapsed on top of them.
More than 700 people were inside the Shaftesbury Avenue venue - which was 45 minutes into the National Theatre’s performance of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time - when the incident took place.More than 700 people were inside the Shaftesbury Avenue venue - which was 45 minutes into the National Theatre’s performance of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time - when the incident took place.