Comedy gigs cancelled

Three more theatres have closed their doors amid fears crumbling concrete may pose a danger to audiences.

Dartford’s Orchard Theatre, the Sands Centre in Carlisle and Solihull’s Core Theatre are all investigating the state of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in their buildings. 

It follows the closure of Northampton’s Royal and Derngate theatre – affecting more than a dozen touring comedy shows – and the charity-run YMCA Theatre in Scarborough.Jimmy Carr’s tour date in Dartford this Friday has been cancelled, as has the Bring Your Own Baby comedy show on September 18 and the Babahoodshow from Babatunde Aléshé, pictured, on September 30 at the same venue.

A spokesman said: ‘September events at the Orchard Theatre have been suspended This is due to a closure agreed with Dartford Borough Council while a review is carried out around the use of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the building.

‘Performances are initially suspended until the end of September 2023 to allow further investigations to take place. Once the time frames become clearer, we will update ticket holders as to the status of the future programme and we would like to reassure customers that their safety is paramount.’

But managers hinted that the closure may be longer term, adding: ‘The council are still assessing the building to see what options are available and it is too early to know how it might impact events in October 2023 and beyond - so these events are still going ahead as planned.’ 

The next comedy event at The Core Theatre in Soho is the Desai Central Comedy Show scheduled for September 30 featuring Tommy Sandhu, Faizan Shah, Kat B and Tez Ilyas. 

It is currently still slated to go ahead, although a production of Little Shop of Horrors this week has been cancelled.

A spokesman said: ‘Solihull Council identified the presence of RAAC in our Core Theatre earlier this year following a routine inspection.  We have been working in line with the most up-to date guidance issued by The Institution of Structural Engineers from April 2023 to assess its condition.  

‘As a precautionary measure, we have taken the decision to close the theatre to continue our investigations.  We realise this will be very disappointing to our patrons and our performers, but unfortunately there is no other option.’

There are no imminent comedy shows at the Sands Centre in Carlisle, until Paul Smith plays there on October 28.

Mark Fryer, leader of Cumberland Council, said: ‘RAAC is present in the auditorium of the Events Centre at The Sands, Carlisle. [It] has been inspected on a regular basis in accordance with government guidelines and was compliant until the recent change in government guidance, in late August.’

‘Events planned for the auditorium will unfortunately be cancelled until further notice. GLL, the council’s events and leisure provider, will contact ticket holders.

‘This is not a decision that Cumberland Council has taken lightly, and we apologise to anyone who has been impacted.’

He said improvement works on the building ‘will now be accelerated’ – and the issue does not affect the  leisure centre that is also par of the same complex.

The Theatres Trust has urged venue owners 'to seek guidance from specialist structural engineers' amid fears of further cases

Published: 6 Sep 2023