Dartford: Theatre suspends shows amid unsafe RAAC concrete
BBC By Christian Fuller
BBC News
A theatre in Kent has suspended all performances with immediate effect due to fears over dangerous concrete.
Built in 1983, The Orchard Theatre in Dartford used reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
Dartford Borough Council leader Jeremy Kite said the safety of audiences, staff and artists was its priority.
The government previously announced that all schools with RAAC without safety measures in place would have to close or partially close.
A statement released by the council and Trafalgar Theatres said the theatre was one of thousands of public buildings to use RAAC during construction.
A survey carried out in April by specialist consultants reported that defects in the RAAC panels in the theatre's roof were "not significant".
