In a theater in London's West End, the ceiling partially collapsed on Wednesday evening. Several people were slightly injured in the incident at the Piccadilly Theater, as Scotland Yard announced via Twitter short message service.
The fire department and other rescue workers were in action. The theater had been completely evacuated, it said in the police communication. The traffic had to be partially redirected.
According to the website, the drama "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller is currently on the theater's schedule. The lead role of Willy Loman takes over Wendell Pierce, who had once played in the legendary US series "The Wire" Detective Bunk Moreland. The younger readers, he could also be known as lawyer Robert Zane from the series "Suits", where he played the father of Meghan Markle's character Rachel Zane.
As a spectator on the British side metro.co.uk reported, dripping sounds were first heard in the theater. That had irritated some people in the audience, but the play had continued. Minutes later, however, the sound had become louder and louder, then one heard screams from a part of the auditorium. According to Marin George, a piece of the ceiling about three by four meters high fell on people.
Actors take care of the spectators in the street
About 1,100 people had to leave the building, according to the fire department. After the evacuation of the building, a video circulated of US actor Pierce addressing a large group of spectators in front of the theater. "So we had not imagined that and I would like to thank all of you, that the evacuation went so smoothly."
Class act from Wendell Pierce, after a pretty scary evacuation at Death of a Salesman. Hope everyone's ok! pic.twitter.com/To9ks8TnzN
- Ed Zanders (@edzanders) November 6, 2019For all those who had to deal with the shock, Pierce had a tip: "I'll go to the pub for a drink with your family and friends."
