London’s Apollo Theatre collapses mid performance

The roof of London’s Apollo Theatre in Shaftsbury Avenue partially collapsed mid performance just hours ago, leaving patrons covered in dust and blood with dozens injured.

As published in the BBC news website, the four storey, 775 seat venue was packed for a performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, and it is understood that more than 80 people have been injured, 7 of them seriously.

According to Australian actress Anna O’Byrne, some of the wounded were being treated in the foyer of the Gielgud Theatre, where she is currently appearing in a production of Strangers on a Train.

She posted on facebook recently about the accident:

“Sending thoughts and prayers to our neighbours at the Apollo Theatre. The injured were being treated in our foyer. In some good news, one of our dressers rescued the animal cast from Curious Incident and they are now happily eating kale up in Wardrobe!… A big reminder of how fragile these old buildings can be.”

Eight fire trucks and several police vehicles rushed to the nearly 113 year old venue in the middle of London’s West End as patrons scrambled from the building.

Andrew Lloyd Webber and hundreds of other perorfmers and theatre goers have been commenting on the incident via social media channels.

“Terrible breaking news about the Apollo Theatre. My thoughts are with everyone tonight. ALW” – Andrew Lloyd Webber’s official twitter and facebook accounts posted recently. 

See various images and tweets below

Images and tweets about the Apollo Theatre Collapse

http://storify.com/AussieTheatre/apollo-theatre-collapse