Theatre Fire

[oakwarden]

This link is to the BBC web page detailing a fire in a local Community theatre ( chatsworth Centre)in Long Eaton Derbyshire

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/click/rss/1.0/-/1...ire/3274729.stm

 

On the saturday evening the theatre was packed for the the last night of a weeks run of HMS Pinafore.

 

I was lighting the show and our original plan was to do the get out on the Sunday morning, however the theatre is a busy place and to allow the following show to commence the set construction on the Sunday morning I was asked to clear the stage AND load and take away my kit straight after the show. Thanks to the team who turned up to help me!

 

We were deriged and loaded and out by just after midnight or halfpast, having grabbed a drink at the after show party in the bar, which was too just begining to fold up.

 

And 3 or four hours later it was all over.

 

The fire brigade are still investigating the cause and we await the outcome, however it has resulted in a full run of shows for the winter and Spring season looking for a new home or inevitably cancelling.

 

The theatre was a converted church and for the past 20 years the development was continuos to turn it into a friendly, comfortable and busy venue - The organization which runs the centre has today said it will rebuild and possibly change the name to the "Phoenix". But tonight there are a lot of devastated people who either run or use the venue.

 

Watch this space.

B-) :D :** laughs out loud **: :( :(

[Brian]

Hi Simon

do I take it that had you not been asked to derig that night that you would have lost your equipment in the fire?

[oakwarden]

Yes Brian, I most certainly would.

 

unfortunately the set and the stage guys tools etc were still in the building awaiting loading at 8.00am. I was tempted but decided to have a bit of a push and watch the rugby instead ( have only just heard the result!).

 

There was a topic on the board "Frogs don't like water" - fortunately I don't have to write about their reaction to fire. Also had a couple of MAC and 6 first time out colour scrollers.

 

Not sure about the fate and all that, but as well as taking photos of the set and lighting - when I have download these I remebered that I had taken a few earlier this week of the auditorium from the stage etc.