During a mid-week performance of the West End play *The Pillowman*, starring Lily Allen in the role of Katurian, an unexpected emergency evacuation took place at the Duke of York’s Theatre.
The incident occurred during a matinee production of Martin McDonagh’s 2003 revival.
The evacuation involved not only the cast and crew but also the entire audience, who were escorted outside the London theatre as a precautionary measure.
The swift response to the situation included the arrival of a fire engine at the scene.
False Alarm Confirmed by London Fire Brigade
A spokesperson for the London fire brigade later confirmed that the evacuation was prompted by a false alarm.
The emergency services were called to the theatre, but upon investigation, it was determined that there was no actual fire.
The brigade’s intervention took place between 3:11pm and 3:24pm, resulting in a relatively short disruption.
As a result of this incident, the theatre production had to be momentarily halted.
Audience’s Confusion Shared on Social Media
As audiences waited outside the theatre during the evacuation, numerous attendees shared their confusion and experiences on social media platforms.
Some expressed their disappointment at the interruption of the gripping play.
One theatre-goer recounted how the performance was abruptly paused due to the evacuation, with the fire brigade arriving shortly after.
The incident left a sense of disruption in the air, affecting the immersive experience of the play.
Resumption of the Performance
After the situation was resolved and it was confirmed that there was no actual fire, audiences were allowed to re-enter the theatre.
The play resumed, allowing viewers to continue enjoying the production.
Despite the unexpected interruption, it seems that the incident did not deter the audience’s enthusiasm for the performance.
Previous Emergency Incident
This incident is not the first time *The Pillowman* experienced an emergency during a performance.
Earlier in the month, Lily Allen reportedly paused the play after noticing an audience member collapsing during her monologue.
The pop star raised the alarm, leading to a temporary halt in the production for about 30 minutes.
Such unexpected incidents highlight the challenges that live performances can face, even in the midst of captivating theatrical experiences.
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