Apollo Theatre Ceiling Collapse

[paulb33]

"hessian wadding embedded within the ceiling was getting weaker over time."

I wonder how many lovely old plaster ceilings will now be lost to this?

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26689705

 

[plasticpigeon]

Hessian in the ceiling? I hope those Edwardian plasterers got the sack!

 

[Moo]

I seem to remember reading that neglect of the roof had caused the hessian to get a bit damp.

 

[paulb33]

I seem to remember reading that neglect of the roof had caused the hessian to get a bit damp.

Therein lies my concern. If water penetration was indeed the issue, how many perfectly sound Edwardian ceilings will now be seen as undue risk (containing hessian, or not) for the want of clearing gutters, repairing flashing etc?

 

[Moo]

Do you think there's any chance of Westminster City Council taking notice of a stiff letter from, say, SPAB?

 

[Penners]

Hessian in the ceiling? I hope those Edwardian plasterers got the sack!

*Groan*!

 

[Penners]

Do you think there's any chance of Westminster City Council taking notice of a stiff letter from, say, SPAB?

I think we both know the answer to that, don't we?

 

[Flyfisher]

Well they didn't take any notice of my stiffly worded letters (including photo and police witness evidence) after one of their traffic wardens ticketed my legally parked car and only cancelled the ticket after losing the parking tribunal hearing (and not bothering to turn up), so I wouldn't be surprised at anything they do. :twisted: But I digress.

A report on R4 today stated that these theatres already have their ceilings checked every three years as a condition of their licences but the reporter, who had seen a copy of a letter describing the reasons behind the ceiling failure, then went on to speculate that Victorian and Edwardian theatre were not built to withstand the rigours of modern stage productions with lots of technology and extensive lighting gantries.

I suspect that the Westminster council CO (if there is such a person) is going to have a tough job over the coming weeks and this report is a particularly ominous example of what he or she will be up against: http://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/03-2014/old-materials-principal-cause-of-apollo-ceiling-co_33929.html

 

[Penners]

Victorian and Edwardian theatre were not built to withstand the rigours of modern stage productions with lots of technology and extensive lighting gantries.

And lots of loud music with bass notes that can actually feel through your seat. That thought has occurred to me on more than one occasion (as I've been head-banging to Jethro Tull)!

 

[Feltwell]

That thought has occurred to me on more than one occasion (as I've been head-banging to Jethro Tull)!

Ahh, but you're forgetting Penners that at that point they were still new ceilings........

 

[Nigel Watts]

The disused Victorian theatre at Alexandra Palace, which we are seeking Heritage Lottery Funding to restore, has recently had its ceiling stabilised.

The theatre will feature shortly on Channel Four as the setting for one of the first gay weddings (10.00 pm on Monday 31 March)

 

[paulb33]

That thought has occurred to me on more than one occasion (as I've been head-banging to Jethro Tull)!

Ahh, but you're forgetting Penners that at that point they were still new ceilings........

:lol:

 

[Penners]

Ian Anderson and I take grave exception to that remark.

 

[paulb33]

The disused Victorian theatre at Alexandra Palace, which we are seeking Heritage Lottery Funding to restore, has recently had its ceiling stabilised.
The theatre will feature shortly on Channel Four as the setting for one of the first gay weddings (10.00 pm on Monday 31 March)

Beautiful. How does one stabilize a ceiling like this?