Rescue & Reinforce: Structural Safety in the Spotlight
Structural Support for London’s Theatres
London’s theatres are iconic, but many of them conceal serious structural challenges above and behind the scenes. Decorative plaster ceilings, ageing balconies, and inaccessible roof voids often go decades without inspection – until something goes wrong. Following the 2013 Apollo Theatre ceiling collapse, formal guidance like Guidance Note 20 made regular inspections a legal and operational priority across the industry.
MJC has been central to this shift. Founder, Mike Jackson, contributed to the development of post-Apollo safety guidance, and today, we continue to support theatre owners, venue managers, and construction teams across the UK with targeted inspections, strengthening strategies, and remedial works.
We’ve delivered major structural projects across the UK- including landmark venues in Leeds, London and the West End.
Dominion Theatre, London
We led the remodelling of the theatre’s flying grid, delivering a high-capacity system to support large-scale productions. The full upgrade was completed in just 14 weeks – designed, delivered, and signed off without delay.
Shaftesbury Theatre, West End
Working with Bennetts Associates, MJC designed the structural elements of a major fly tower extension. The project increased rigging capacity and backstage flexibility while preserving the character of the Edwardian theatre. The project has since won multiple industry awards.
Leeds Grand Theatre
Outside of London, our reinforcement work included a temporary over-roof to protect a Grade II* listed plaster ceiling during repairs, alongside a weather monitoring system to safeguard construction under variable conditions.
Whether it’s a listed building in London’s West End, or a regional arts venue, MJC provides practical, safety-focused structural solutions with minimal disruption. Our team works closely with contractors and venue owners to ensure every project meets modern safety expectations- without compromising artistic ambition or heritage integrity.
If you’re planning theatre renovations or new structural works, bring MJC on board early. We’ll help you get it right from the first survey to the final sign-off.
MJ Consulting Engineers are specialist structural engineers with decades of experience delivering intelligent, buildable solutions for theatres, live venues, and aviation environments. From West End fly towers to high-traffic airport concessions, we support complex projects with precision design, practical insight, and a collaborative approach.
