During one of today’s regularly scheduled performances of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Nighttime, the ceiling to the Apollo Theater on London’s West End collapsed. The theater, which was built in 1901, apparently endured a heavy rainstorm earlier today, though whether this caused the incident is yet to be determined. Other causes of the collapse are unknown.
The BBC described the theatre as “packed”, and several eyewitness statements have been released. One claimed to have heard “a crackling noise” before a “10 meters by 10 meters” piece of plaster fell from the ceiling. Some theatregoers are reported to have initially believed the collapse was part of the show, however it soon became clear that it was not. One patron was amazed by the sense of calmness she felt as other patrons respectfully helped each other to safety. “It wasn’t every man for himself”, she said. (CNN), “”Everyone was looking out for each other, and in a couple of minutes, everyone was out.”
Emergency personnel quickly responded, and rescue operations are apparently underway. The show’s run will most likely be postponed until the damage can be evaluated and fixed.