Christmas show cancelled after ceiling collapse

A theatre company that works with adults with learning disabilities has cancelled its festive production after part of its venue ceiling fell in, the BBC reports.

The theatre company – Side by Side – said no one was hurt when a large slab of plaster dropped from the ceiling of St John’s Church in Stourbridge, which the company has occupied since 2019.

A spokesperson said: “Fortunately, the only people in the building at the time were the secretary and two trustees, who were all in the office.

“Had anyone been near the falling plaster, the result could have been fatal.”

The company’s trustees say they have been unable to get a professional contractor to assess the ceiling. Despite continuing to work in unaffected areas of the building, its current state cannot accommodate an audience.

“[We] have asked around other venues in the area, in the hope of performing elsewhere, but everything is either booked up at this time of the year or they are not suitable,” the spokesperson added.