Roundhouse cancels Fuerzabruta performances after set collapse

Today's performances of Fuerzbruta at the Roundhouse have been cancelled following the collapse of part of the set last week.

As previously reported, on Friday evening at least three audience members and technicians when a mechanical sail malfunctioned during the show.

As a result, all performances up to and including today's (20 January 2014) have been cancelled. The show will reopen on 21 January.

The Roundhouse released the following statement:

"Approximately 30 minutes into the performance, a piece of moving stage equipment on which two artists were performing suffered a technical failure and fell slowly into an area where audience members were standing. The equipment was brought in for the production and was not part of the Roundhouse structure. The show was stopped and the performance space was cleared immediately.

"A handful of injuries were reported, and whilst extremely regrettable, fortunately none of these injuries were serious. Those affected were seen by medics and four people – including one performer – were treated for minor injuries. The Roundhouse is committed to the safety and well-being of its audiences and undertakes rigorous risk assessments for all of the shows that take place here. We are investigating what led to the issues experienced during this performance."

The incident comes just a few weeks after audience members were injured when a section of the Apollo Theatre ceiling collapsed onto audience members during a performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.

Eyewitness Steve Johns told the BBC: "Half an hour into the spectacular Fuerzabruta show in the Roundhouse this evening the sail which was spinning above the crowded floor on which acrobats were performing, collapsed on to technicians and members of the public below.

"People were trying to get out from underneath. Fortunately, due to the efficient security service and the calm of crowd, the worst was avoided."