Ceiling fall forces Christmas show's cancellation

The Side by Side Theatre Company gives disabled adults the chance to learn performing arts

A theatre company that teaches disabled adults performing arts has been forced to cancel its Christmas production after part of its venue's ceiling collapsed.

The Side by Side Theatre Company, based at The SideSpace in Stourbridge, said a large slab of plaster fell and "exploded" into the venue.

The group of actors said no-one was injured the incident, in the former St John's Church, where they were rehearsing their Christmas concert.

The theatre company is now in its 27th year, and has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe as well as Sweden and Prague and with the Royal Shakespeare’s Open Stages.

The group said they were rehearsing for a week of festive shows when the plaster fell "without any warning", on 27 September.

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

"Had anyone been near the falling plaster the result could have been fatal."

The company's trustees have since been trying to get a professional contractor to assess the ceiling, to find out what caused the plaster to fall, to test its safety and give them a quote for repairs.

But after weeks of phone calls and promises, no-one has stepped in to help them remedy the situation.

'Everywhere's booked up'

Bosses are now hoping other venues in the area might be made available for them to perform in.

Actors have continued sessions in other parts of the church, but there is no room for an audience, the company said.

"[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.

Since acquiring St John’s Church in 2019 they have expanded their provision of Performing Arts classes to many more learning disabled and those with special needs.

The spokesperson said: "To not be able to perform a Christmas concert this year is extremely disappointing for [the actors] and they still don’t know how long it is going to be until they can use the SideSpace for performances again."