No Charges to Be Filed Over West End's Apollo Theatre Ceiling Collapse

The Guardian writes that Westminster city council has determined no one will be prosecuted over last year's ceiling collapse during a performance at THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME at the Apollo Theatre in the West End.

It was determined the collapse occurred due to the age of the roof, which was built during the theatre's original construction in 1901; no laws were broken.

Co-owner of the Apollo and chief executive of Nimax Theatres Nica Burns told The Guardian, "I welcome the conclusion of the Westminster investigation, which confirms it was a terrible accident."

Burns previously confirmed that the venue on Shaftesbury Avenue is set to reopen later this spring, with ONCE and LET THE RIGHT ONE IN vying for the theatre.

Nickie Aiken, part of Westminster's cabinet for premises management and licensing, made the following statement on the investigation:

"This has been one of the most thorough investigations of its type, and our main aim now is to ensure that an accident like the one at the Apollo never happens again.

"So, today we are calling on the Health and Safety Executive and Association of British Theatre Technicians to tighten and improve the technical standards on ceiling checks in historical buildings, including theatres and cinemas.

"Using the lessons we have learned, we have already started engaging with both of these organizations begin drafting a new set of rules, rather than guidelines, which we hope they can bring in as soon as possible.

"The accident last year must have been a frightening experience for those people who were involved, and we really appreciate a number of them coming forward during the investigation. We hope that the conclusion of our investigation will bring some closure to the events of that day.

"Simply put, the onus needs to change -- experts and owners need to prove that structures are safe, rather than not prove that they are unsafe.

"We have worked with all theatres over the last 12 months and have been encouraged by the way they have proactively engaged with us following the shocking events of last year."

Seven people were seriously injured and 80 others hurt in the December 19 incident, which was caused by a thunderstorm. The 112-year-old building was shut down until January 4 to give investigators time to work out exactly how the accident happened as well as remove any remaining wooden beams and chunks of plaster which covered the fully packed house.

Photo by REX USA/London News Pictures/Rex