Lily Allen rushed off stage as fire brigade dashes to venue and crowd evacuated

23 August 2023 , 16:49

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Lily Allen and other cast members were quickly rushed off stage

Lily Allen's performance of The Pillowman was dramatically halted today as audience members were evacuated from the Duke of York's theatre, in London.

Onlookers at the scene at the London theatre reported that a fire engine rushed to the location as ticket holders were evacuated from the establishment by security in the middle of Lily's performance.

Audience members who had been looking forward to the show for weeks on end were left baffled and confused as the singer turned actress, 38, was hurried off the stage mid performance. One audience member detailed: "Lily rushed off stage – everyone thought it was a scary part of the play, but it turns out it was real."

Meanwhile, another ticket holder said: "Right in the middle of a gripping performance of The Pillowman at the Duke of York’s Theatre, we were evacuated. Fire brigade showed up a few minutes later. Not sure why yet, but the spell is broken I’m afraid."

A performance of The Pillowman was halted and the audience was evacuated (Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

A spokesperson from London Fire Brigade confirmed they were called to the scene after a fire alarm was set off as they confirmed that there actually was no fire – thankfully, it was a false alarm. "Firefighters responded to an automatic fire alarm sounding at a theatre on St Martin's Lane in Central London," the spokesperson told The Sun. "The theatre was evacuated as a precaution. A crew attended and following investigation, established there was no fire."

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"The Brigade was called at 3.11pm and the incident was over for firefighters by 3.24pm. A fire engine from Lambeth Fire Station attended the scene."

Last month, Lily gave some insight into her part in the play as she appeared on ITV's This Morning to discuss her role. At the time, she said: “There’s a bit of violence in it. She’s an artist and writer and that’s something I relate to. She definitely pushes boundaries. There was a lot for me to tap into.”

The Smile hitmaker made her West End debut in 2021 in 2:22 A Ghost Story as Jenny, a stressed-out new mother who suspects paranormal activity in her new home. Her work in the spooky theatre show was met with widespread acclaim. Lily also earned her first Olivier nomination with the performance.

Susan Knox