NT HIT BY POWER FAILURE

NT HIT BY POWER FAILURE

The Royal National Theatre has cancelled tonight's (20th Aug) and and Tuesdays (21st Aug) performances of The Relapse and Howard Katz after a power failure caused by a transformer explosion.

Firefighters were called to the theatre twice on Sunday night - no-one was hurt but electrical equipment was damaged.

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."

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."