The Piccadilly Theatre in the West End was evacuated mid-performance after several theatregoers suffered minor injuries when part of the ceiling collapsed during Death of a Salesman, starring Wendell Pierce.

Witnesses described hearing screams as the ceiling collapsed. Police said a few people had suffered minor injuries. London Fire Brigade said about 1,100 people left the theatre during the evacuation.

Three ambulances attended and five people received treatment. Four were taken to hospital and one was later discharged.

The incident sparked fears of a repeat of the collapse of part of the ceiling in London’s Apollo theatre in 2013, when 80 people were injured during a performance of The Curious Incident Of The Dog in the Night-Time.