'Herculean' effort after alarm bells ring at Hall for Cornwall

HALL for Cornwall staff undertook a "Herculean" effort after a performance was cancelled less than halfway through due to flooding.

Last Thursday's cancellation of the acclaimed Grapes of Wrath was the latest in a string of fire alarms which have interrupted recent shows.

Ironically, the adaptation featured a dramatic on-stage rain storm. But a spokesman said the incident was unrelated to previous mishaps and the first time the power was completely cut.

One guest posted a comment on a website saying: "The fire alarm goes off for five minutes and we're out into the rain for 30 minutes until they tell us the show is cancelled."

Sprinkler system

The HfC said a bulb burst in a sprinkler system under the stage, which was activated, triggering the alarm system and full evacuation.

A "thorough" check of the building by fire crews revealed no evidence of a fire, but the show was cancelled due to the flooding and loss of electricity.

A spokesman said: "Following a Herculean effort by staff, working throughout the night to get the system reset and the building dried out, it was business as usual. We are very sorry for the disappointment this must have caused.

"All affected customers were being given the option to re-book to another performance or have a full refund." The play started at 7.30pm and firefighters from Truro were called in at 8.22pm. Crews pumped out up to four inches of water from the basement level and management brought in industrial dryers.

Technicians

Grapes of Wrath cast member Damian O'Hare said: "Having worked 48 hours in a row once because the pyrotechnics of a band triggered the sprinkler system at a venue, I know only too well how staff and technicians must have slaved away to get everything going again."

In his review of last month's Bloc Party gig, What's On editor Lee Trewhela said the fire alarm and 20-minute evacuation that night was the third time it had happened in his last four shows there.

An HfC spokesman added: "The hall is a listed building, so inevitably there are challenges attached to its upkeep and we are constantly working to maintain it. Our emergency procedures underline the professional approach we have to health and safety.

The HfC is responsible for the council-owned, Grade II listed building and needs to raise £150,000 a year to maintain it.