20th August 2001
from Ananova.com
National Theatre shows cancelled after explosion
All productions at the National Theatre have been cancelled following a power failure.
Tonight's performances of The Relapse and Howard Katz have been called off as theatre bosses try to fix the problem with only a skeleton staff at the venue.
Fire crews were called out twice to the building overnight after a transformer exploded, but nobody was hurt.
A spokeswoman said: "This is an unprecedented occurrence and the cause of the problem has not yet been identified. We hope that the National will reopen as soon as possible."
Officials were unable to say how long the theatre would be out of action.
A statement from the theatre explained: "The theatre's transformer blew at 10.30pm on Sunday night causing a small explosion which was attended by the fire brigade and London Electricity Board.
"The building was closed at the time. Staff began work to restore power but at 4.30am this morning a second transformer failed causing a small fire which was again attended by the fire brigade and LEB.
"No-one was hurt but electrical equipment was damaged. Specialists are now assessing the damage to ascertain when power can be restored."
A new work by controversial playwright Mark Ravenhill, Mother Clap's Molly House, was due to start on Wednesday.