Theatre performance with too much of a bang

The Birmingham Repertory Theatre was evacuated last night following an explosion triggered by a technical fault, police said.

Emergency services raced to the scene in the city centre after multiple witnesses reported hearing loud bangs. Videos and photos posted online showed officers forcing the public to evacuate the area as a cordon was set up.

No casualties were reported and the explosion was said to have been contained in the staff area of the theatre.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “Everyone has been evacuated and are being kept safe.”