RAAC found in theatres, prompting fears of crumbling ceilings

Stand-up shows by the likes of Tim Vine, Phil Wang and Jimmy Carr as the lightweight concrete crisis spreads from schools to theatres.

Northampton’s Royal and Derngate venue has announced that it has closed its doors for the rest of the month after finding reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in its building 

The venue said in a statement: ‘Due to the unfortunate discovery of RAA concrete in our buildings, Royal and Derngate is temporarily closed. 

‘During this closure period, entry to the building is prohibited, and all performances and events during September at Royal and Derngate are being postponed.’

Ticket holders will be contacted soon.

Affected comedy shows are  

September 9: Markus Birdman: Platinum
September 17: Jordan Gray – Is It A Bird
September 19: Yippee Ki Yay
September 21: Shitfaced Shakespeare and Tim Vine
September 22: Fascinating Aida
September 23 : Gyles Brandreth abd Seann Walsh
September 24 : Morgan and West
September 26: Miriam Margolyes
September 27: Jimmy Carr and Mark Simmons
September 28: Ivo Graham abd Phil Wang
September 29: Axel Blake and Screaming Blue Murder comedy club
 September 30: John Robins

In Scarborough, most of the YMCA Theatre has also been closed following the discovery of RAAC. The community theatre is used for local productions and does not host touring comedy shows.

A total of 156 schools are at risk from the concrete coming to the end of its natural life and crumbling away. This morning, Rishi Sunak said it was ‘utterly wrong’ to blame him for failing to fix the problem. 

The severity of the issue became known in 2018 when the roof of a primary school in Gravesend, Kent collapsed over a weekend. 

Published: 4 Sep 2023