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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Theatreland shocked by West End 'tragedy' | Theatreland shocked by West End 'tragedy' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Leading lights of London's Theatreland have been "rocked and shocked" by the ceiling collapse at a West End theatre that left dozens of people injured. | |
| Several heard the news as they left the opening night of Stephen Ward, the new musical from Andrew Lloyd Webber. | Several heard the news as they left the opening night of Stephen Ward, the new musical from Andrew Lloyd Webber. |
| Sir Richard Eyre, the show's director and a former director of the National Theatre, said the news was "frightening and shocking and disturbing". | Sir Richard Eyre, the show's director and a former director of the National Theatre, said the news was "frightening and shocking and disturbing". |
| "It's a terrible thing to happen in a theatre," he told the BBC News website. | "It's a terrible thing to happen in a theatre," he told the BBC News website. |
| Musicals star Elaine Paige said the audience at the Aldwych Theatre were "rocked and shocked" to learn what had happened around a mile away. | Musicals star Elaine Paige said the audience at the Aldwych Theatre were "rocked and shocked" to learn what had happened around a mile away. |
| "It was a tragic and shocking thing to hear," said the actress and broadcaster. "Clearly there's been a tragedy over there tonight." | "It was a tragic and shocking thing to hear," said the actress and broadcaster. "Clearly there's been a tragedy over there tonight." |
| Her sentiments were echoed by theatre producer Robert Fox, who said it was "a very shocking thing to happen and incredibly sad". | Her sentiments were echoed by theatre producer Robert Fox, who said it was "a very shocking thing to happen and incredibly sad". |
| "I just hope no-one has been killed and that people will be okay," he told the BBC. | "I just hope no-one has been killed and that people will be okay," he told the BBC. |
| Fellow producer Bill Kenwright said he was "shocked" by the news, while choreographer and former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips said the news was "shocking and surreal". | Fellow producer Bill Kenwright said he was "shocked" by the news, while choreographer and former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips said the news was "shocking and surreal". |
| "My heart goes out to everyone involved," said comedian Jimmy Carr. | "My heart goes out to everyone involved," said comedian Jimmy Carr. |
| Nimax Theatres, the owners of the Shaftesbury Avenue theatre, described the incident there as "shocking and upsetting" and said an investigation was under way. | Nimax Theatres, the owners of the Shaftesbury Avenue theatre, described the incident there as "shocking and upsetting" and said an investigation was under way. |
| A spokesman for Lord Lloyd-Webber said he was preparing a statement. A representative from the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) said a statement would also be forthcoming. | A spokesman for Lord Lloyd-Webber said he was preparing a statement. A representative from the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) said a statement would also be forthcoming. |
| The incident took place during a performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, an adaptation of the Mark Haddon novel that was originally presented at the National Theatre. | The incident took place during a performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, an adaptation of the Mark Haddon novel that was originally presented at the National Theatre. |
| Sir Nicholas Hytner, director of the National, was at the Aldwych to see Stephen Ward and left immediately afterwards, as did Nimax Theatres co-owner Nica Burns. | Sir Nicholas Hytner, director of the National, was at the Aldwych to see Stephen Ward and left immediately afterwards, as did Nimax Theatres co-owner Nica Burns. |
| In a message on Twitter, Haddon said it had been "horrifying" watching the events unfold and that he was "hugely relieved" there had been no fatalities reported. | In a message on Twitter, Haddon said it had been "horrifying" watching the events unfold and that he was "hugely relieved" there had been no fatalities reported. |
| "I hope that those who were seriously injured are OK," he continued. "I'm sorry, too, that so many people went through such a terrifying experience." | "I hope that those who were seriously injured are OK," he continued. "I'm sorry, too, that so many people went through such a terrifying experience." |
| The actor David Suchet also took to Twitter to express his dismay. "What a tragedy," he wrote. "My thoughts are with all those who are hurt and injured." | The actor David Suchet also took to Twitter to express his dismay. "What a tragedy," he wrote. "My thoughts are with all those who are hurt and injured." |
| Eyewitnesses heard a "crackling" noise before the collapse at about 20:15 GMT. Theatre-goers left covered in debris and 51 people were taken to hospital. | Eyewitnesses heard a "crackling" noise before the collapse at about 20:15 GMT. Theatre-goers left covered in debris and 51 people were taken to hospital. |
| First opened in 1901, the Apollo is a Grade II listed building that seats 775 people across four levels. | First opened in 1901, the Apollo is a Grade II listed building that seats 775 people across four levels. |
| Additional reporting by BBC entertainment correspondent Tim Masters. | Additional reporting by BBC entertainment correspondent Tim Masters. |