THE collapse of a church ceiling has left a group of award-winning Stourbridge actors unable to perform their Christmas concerts.

Side by Side Theatre Company Stourbridge had been rehearsing at The SideSpace at St John's (originally St John’s Church) ahead of a week of planned Christmas concerts when the incident happened.

The disaster has left the group unable to use the main part of the old church building for rehearsals or performances and means the festive concerts will not be able to go ahead.

Susan Wallin MBE, the group’s artistic director, said: “On September 27, without any warning, a very large slab of plaster fell from the ceiling and exploded into the main part of the church.

“Fortunately, the only people in the building at the time were the secretary and two trustees, who were all in the office. Had anyone been near the falling plaster the result could have been fatal.”

The church ceiling where the plaster fell from at The SideSpace at St John'sThe church ceiling where the plaster fell from at The SideSpace at St John's (Image: Handout)

The actors have been able to continue their sessions in other parts of the church, although in restricted conditions and with no room for audiences.

The company has tried to find another venue in the hope of performing elsewhere, but Susan said: “Everything is either booked up at this time of the year or not suitable.”

She said the trustees have finally managed to get a local company to check the ceiling and put up safety netting.

Work started on Tuesday (November 19) and will be finished within about three weeks.

Scaffolding inside the church building as work got underwayScaffolding inside the church building as work got underway (Image: Handout)

Side by Side Theatre Company Stourbridge have performed many times at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as well as in Sweden and Prague and with the Royal Shakespeare’s Open Stages.

Now in its 27th year, and since acquiring St John’s Church in 2019, the organisation has been able to expand its provision of performing arts classes to many more people with learning disabilities and special educational needs (SEND).

Susan said: “To not be able to perform a Christmas concert this year is extremely disappointing for them and they still don’t know how long it is going to be until they can use the SideSpace for performances again.”

She said the plaster debris that fell weighed around 15kg when it was gathered up in black bags and she added: “We are just grateful that no one was near it when it fell!”