{"ab":false,"abStatus":null,"abTestId":null,"abVariation":false,"abVariationAutomated":false,"absoluteUrl":"https://www.frontrowinsurance.com/articles/infamous-stage-disasters-insurance-considerations","afterPostBody":null,"aifeatures":null,"allowedSlugConflict":false,"analytics":null,"analyticsPageId":"26509633103","analyticsPageType":"blog-post","approvalStatus":null,"archived":false,"archivedAt":0,"archivedInDashboard":false,"areCommentsAllowed":true,"attachedStylesheets":[],"audienceAccess":"PUBLIC","author":null,"authorName":null,"authorUsername":null,"blogAuthor":{"avatar":"","bio":"Grant Patten - VP, Marketing","cdnPurgeEmbargoTime":null,"cosObjectType":"BLOG_AUTHOR","created":1557244191140,"deletedAt":0,"displayName":"Grant Patten","email":"grant@frontrowinsurance.com","facebook":"","fullName":"Grant Patten","gravatarUrl":"https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/9751f803d54c2340cccdf5025adc9aa4","hasSocialProfiles":false,"id":9474946913,"label":"Grant Patten","language":null,"linkedin":"","name":"Grant Patten","portalId":61352,"slug":"grant-patten","translatedFromId":null,"translations":{},"twitter":"","twitterUsername":"","updated":1557244191140,"userId":null,"username":null,"website":""},"blogAuthorId":9474946913,"blogPostAuthor":{"avatar":"","bio":"Grant Patten - VP, Marketing","cdnPurgeEmbargoTime":null,"cosObjectType":"BLOG_AUTHOR","created":1557244191140,"deletedAt":0,"displayName":"Grant Patten","email":"grant@frontrowinsurance.com","facebook":"","fullName":"Grant Patten","gravatarUrl":"https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/9751f803d54c2340cccdf5025adc9aa4","hasSocialProfiles":false,"id":9474946913,"label":"Grant Patten","language":null,"linkedin":"","name":"Grant Patten","portalId":61352,"slug":"grant-patten","translatedFromId":null,"translations":{},"twitter":"","twitterUsername":"","updated":1557244191140,"userId":null,"username":null,"website":""},"blogPostScheduleTaskUid":null,"blogPublishInstantEmailCampaignId":null,"blogPublishInstantEmailRetryCount":null,"blogPublishInstantEmailTaskUid":"DONE","blogPublishToSocialMediaTask":"DONE","blueprintTypeId":0,"businessUnitId":null,"campaign":null,"campaignName":null,"campaignUtm":null,"category":3,"categoryId":3,"cdnPurgeEmbargoTime":null,"checkPostLevelAudienceAccessFirst":true,"clonedFrom":null,"composeBody":null,"compositionId":0,"contentAccessRuleIds":[],"contentAccessRuleTypes":[],"contentGroup":952267656,"contentGroupId":952267656,"contentTypeCategory":3,"contentTypeCategoryId":3,"contentTypeId":null,"created":1582905887035,"createdByAgent":null,"createdById":7915797,"createdTime":1582905887035,"crmObjectId":null,"css":{},"cssText":"","ctaClicks":null,"ctaViews":null,"currentState":"PUBLISHED","currentlyPublished":true,"deletedAt":0,"deletedBy":null,"deletedByEmail":null,"deletedById":null,"domain":"","dynamicPageDataSourceId":null,"dynamicPageDataSourceType":null,"dynamicPageHubDbTableId":null,"enableDomainStylesheets":null,"enableGoogleAmpOutputOverride":false,"enableLayoutStylesheets":null,"errors":[],"featuredImage":"https://61352.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/61352/blog-image-uploads/nat-theatre-forweb.jpg","featuredImageAltText":"National Theatre: theatre insurance Canada","featuredImageHeight":400,"featuredImageLength":0,"featuredImageWidth":600,"flexAreas":{},"folderId":null,"footerHtml":null,"freezeDate":1583345619000,"generateJsonLdEnabledOverride":true,"hasContentAccessRules":false,"hasUserChanges":true,"headHtml":null,"header":null,"htmlTitle":"Fire, Flood, Injury: Stage Disasters & Insurance Considerations","id":26509633103,"includeDefaultCustomCss":null,"isCaptchaRequired":true,"isCrawlableByBots":false,"isDraft":false,"isInstanceLayoutPage":false,"isInstantEmailEnabled":true,"isPublished":true,"isSocialPublishingEnabled":false,"keywords":[],"label":"<span id=\"hs_cos_wrapper_name\" class=\"hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field hs_cos_wrapper_type_text\" style=\"\" data-hs-cos-general-type=\"meta_field\" data-hs-cos-type=\"text\" >Fire, Flood, Injury: Stage Disasters & Insurance Considerations</span>","language":"en","lastEditSessionId":null,"lastEditUpdateId":null,"layoutSections":{},"legacyBlogTabid":null,"legacyId":null,"legacyPostGuid":null,"linkRelCanonicalUrl":null,"listTemplate":"prox_frontrow/templates/blog/blog-listing.html","liveDomain":"www.frontrowinsurance.com","mab":false,"mabExperimentId":null,"mabMaster":false,"mabVariant":false,"meta":{"attached_stylesheets":[],"post_summary":"<p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: left;\">This post reviews some infamous theatrical stage disasters that have happened over the years. We cannot <i>guarantee</i> that any of these disasters would have necessarily been covered under any insurance claim (coverage decisions are ultimately up to the insurance company), but it is nonetheless instructive to consider what has gone wrong during past live productions – and how insurance might have been helpful – especially if you work in the theatre world.</p>\n","has_user_changes":true,"last_edit_session_id":null,"last_edit_update_id":null,"html_title":"Fire, Flood, Injury: Stage Disasters & Insurance Considerations","tag_ids":[949709739,3131630093],"topic_ids":[949709739,3131630093],"campaign_name":null,"campaign_utm":null,"enable_google_amp_output_override":false,"featured_image":"https://61352.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/61352/blog-image-uploads/nat-theatre-forweb.jpg","featured_image_alt_text":"National Theatre: theatre insurance Canada","link_rel_canonical_url":null,"meta_description":"This post reviews some infamous theatrical stage disasters that have happened over the years. We cannot guarantee that any of these disasters would have...","post_body":"\n\n\n\n <span id=\"hs_cos_wrapper_post_body\" class=\"hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field hs_cos_wrapper_type_rich_text\" style=\"\" data-hs-cos-general-type=\"meta_field\" data-hs-cos-type=\"rich_text\" ><p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: left;\">This post reviews some infamous theatrical stage disasters that have happened over the years. We cannot <i>guarantee</i> that any of these disasters would have necessarily been covered under any insurance claim (coverage decisions are ultimately up to the insurance company), but it is nonetheless instructive to consider what has gone wrong during past live productions – and how insurance might have been helpful – especially if you work in the theatre world.</p>\n<!--more-->\n<h2 class=\"p2\">Globe Theatre fire – London, 1613</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">In 1613, the Globe Theatre in London burnt to the ground. This was the theatre where most of Shakespeare’s plays debuted, including <i>The Tempest</i>.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>How did it happen?</em></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">A theatrical cannon – set off during a performance of <i>All is True/Henry VIII</i> – misfired, igniting the wooden beams and roof. There were no reports of any injuries.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">A year later the theatre was rebuilt, only to be eventually demolished by the Puritans on ideological grounds.</p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\">Iroquois Theatre fire – Chicago, 1903</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">This tragedy was the deadliest theatre fire and the deadliest single-building fire in US history, resulting in at least 602 deaths.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>How did it happen?</em></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">During a matinee of the musical <i>Mr. Blue Beard</i>, sparks from an arc light ignited a curtain, probably as a result of an electrical short circuit. The fire spread quickly from there and those in the crowded theatre began to panic and flee, but this resulted in a human stampede of sorts, and many weren’t able to get out alive.</p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\"><i>Way Upstream</i> flood – London, 1982</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">During a rehearsal of the play <i>Way Upstream</i> – which is set on a cabin cruiser boat on an English river – at London’s National Theatre in 1982, the water tank simulating the river burst. This flooded the National Theatre.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>How did it happen?</em></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The theatre had built a 6K-gallon tank for the boat, but the tank eventually broke and deluged the stage and seating area nearby. The boat had been weighed down by a dozen people, half of them stage crew, at the time of the flood.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\"><i>Mamma Mia!</i> hair dryer slip – London, 2014</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">During a performance of&nbsp;<i>Mamma Mia!</i> in London, actress Kim Ismay (as \"Tanya\") once swung a hair dryer straight into an audience member’s face! The hair dryer’s cable had snapped mid-song, sending the dryer flying into the crowd.</span></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">The audience member was given champagne during the interval to apologize for the accident. A nice touch, certainly – but not likely to be adequate if the patron still decides to sue.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Our <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">SOLO Theatrical Insurance</span> program includes <a href=\"/articles/commercial-general-liability\" rel=\" noopener\">General Liability</a>. This coverage is designed to protect against all sums that the insured shall become legally obligated to pay for bodily injury, property damage or personal injury to third parties arising out of the operations of the insured production. It includes the cost of a lawyer to defend you.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong>Note</strong>: SOLO Theatrical Insurance is for injuries to patrons and damage to venues, <strong>not</strong> performers. Most performers are contract and therefore not covered under SOLO. They would need to be employees.</p>\n<h2>Consider Front Row Theatre Insurance | Performing Arts Insurance | Liability Insurance for Theatre Production Companies</h2>\n<h3 class=\"p1\">Get a theatre insurance quote from Front Row in just 2 minutes: <a href=\"https://stagelive.frontrowinsurance.com/\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span class=\"s1\">https://stagelive.frontrowinsurance.com/</span></a></h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">Offering a simple and quick solution, our SOLO Theatrical Insurance program can be purchased online with a credit card in six minutes and can include the following coverage for up to 4-weeks with no minimum premium:</p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\">Up to $5,000,000 in General Liability Coverage.</li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Optional Theatrical Property coverage for Equipment, <a href=\"/articles/production-equipment-and-props/sets/wardrobe-insurance-explained\" rel=\" noopener\">Props, Sets, and Wardrobe</a>.</li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><a href=\"/articles/video-how-do-i-add-an-additional-insured-to-my-policy\" rel=\" noopener\">Additional Insured</a> certificates for your venue(s) for no additional cost.</li>\n</ul></span>\n","publish_immediately":true,"use_featured_image":true,"published_by_id":7915797,"published_at":1672951658312,"rss_body":"<p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: left;\">This post reviews some infamous theatrical stage disasters that have happened over the years. We cannot <i>guarantee</i> that any of these disasters would have necessarily been covered under any insurance claim (coverage decisions are ultimately up to the insurance company), but it is nonetheless instructive to consider what has gone wrong during past live productions – and how insurance might have been helpful – especially if you work in the theatre world.</p>\n<!--more-->\n<h2 class=\"p2\">Globe Theatre fire – London, 1613</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">In 1613, the Globe Theatre in London burnt to the ground. This was the theatre where most of Shakespeare’s plays debuted, including <i>The Tempest</i>.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>How did it happen?</em></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">A theatrical cannon – set off during a performance of <i>All is True/Henry VIII</i> – misfired, igniting the wooden beams and roof. There were no reports of any injuries.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">A year later the theatre was rebuilt, only to be eventually demolished by the Puritans on ideological grounds.</p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\">Iroquois Theatre fire – Chicago, 1903</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">This tragedy was the deadliest theatre fire and the deadliest single-building fire in US history, resulting in at least 602 deaths.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>How did it happen?</em></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">During a matinee of the musical <i>Mr. Blue Beard</i>, sparks from an arc light ignited a curtain, probably as a result of an electrical short circuit. The fire spread quickly from there and those in the crowded theatre began to panic and flee, but this resulted in a human stampede of sorts, and many weren’t able to get out alive.</p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\"><i>Way Upstream</i> flood – London, 1982</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">During a rehearsal of the play <i>Way Upstream</i> – which is set on a cabin cruiser boat on an English river – at London’s National Theatre in 1982, the water tank simulating the river burst. This flooded the National Theatre.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>How did it happen?</em></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The theatre had built a 6K-gallon tank for the boat, but the tank eventually broke and deluged the stage and seating area nearby. The boat had been weighed down by a dozen people, half of them stage crew, at the time of the flood.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\"><i>Mamma Mia!</i> hair dryer slip – London, 2014</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">During a performance of&nbsp;<i>Mamma Mia!</i> in London, actress Kim Ismay (as \"Tanya\") once swung a hair dryer straight into an audience member’s face! The hair dryer’s cable had snapped mid-song, sending the dryer flying into the crowd.</span></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">The audience member was given champagne during the interval to apologize for the accident. A nice touch, certainly – but not likely to be adequate if the patron still decides to sue.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Our <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">SOLO Theatrical Insurance</span> program includes <a href=\"/articles/commercial-general-liability\" rel=\" noopener\">General Liability</a>. This coverage is designed to protect against all sums that the insured shall become legally obligated to pay for bodily injury, property damage or personal injury to third parties arising out of the operations of the insured production. It includes the cost of a lawyer to defend you.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong>Note</strong>: SOLO Theatrical Insurance is for injuries to patrons and damage to venues, <strong>not</strong> performers. Most performers are contract and therefore not covered under SOLO. They would need to be employees.</p>\n<h2>Consider Front Row Theatre Insurance | Performing Arts Insurance | Liability Insurance for Theatre Production Companies</h2>\n<h3 class=\"p1\">Get a theatre insurance quote from Front Row in just 2 minutes: <a href=\"https://stagelive.frontrowinsurance.com/\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span class=\"s1\">https://stagelive.frontrowinsurance.com/</span></a></h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">Offering a simple and quick solution, our SOLO Theatrical Insurance program can be purchased online with a credit card in six minutes and can include the following coverage for up to 4-weeks with no minimum premium:</p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\">Up to $5,000,000 in General Liability Coverage.</li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Optional Theatrical Property coverage for Equipment, <a href=\"/articles/production-equipment-and-props/sets/wardrobe-insurance-explained\" rel=\" noopener\">Props, Sets, and Wardrobe</a>.</li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><a href=\"/articles/video-how-do-i-add-an-additional-insured-to-my-policy\" rel=\" noopener\">Additional Insured</a> certificates for your venue(s) for no additional cost.</li>\n</ul>","rss_summary":"<p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: left;\">This post reviews some infamous theatrical stage disasters that have happened over the years. We cannot <i>guarantee</i> that any of these disasters would have necessarily been covered under any insurance claim (coverage decisions are ultimately up to the insurance company), but it is nonetheless instructive to consider what has gone wrong during past live productions – and how insurance might have been helpful – especially if you work in the theatre world.</p>\n","blog_publish_instant_email_task_uid":"DONE","blog_publish_to_social_media_task":"DONE","head_html":null,"layout_sections":{},"blog_post_schedule_task_uid":null,"scheduled_update_date":0,"public_access_rules_enabled":false,"public_access_rules":[],"featured_image_height":400,"featured_image_width":600,"header":null},"metaDescription":"This post reviews some infamous theatrical stage disasters that have happened over the years. We cannot guarantee that any of these disasters would have...","metaKeywords":null,"name":"<span id=\"hs_cos_wrapper_name\" class=\"hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field hs_cos_wrapper_type_text\" style=\"\" data-hs-cos-general-type=\"meta_field\" data-hs-cos-type=\"text\" >Fire, Flood, Injury: Stage Disasters & Insurance Considerations</span>","nextPostFeaturedImage":"https://61352.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/61352/blog-image-uploads/rain%20photography/rain-cover-forweb.jpg","nextPostFeaturedImageAltText":"Rain cover: Protecting Your Camera in Rain","nextPostName":"What to Know About Rain Photography: Protecting Your Camera in Rain","nextPostSlug":"articles/what-to-know-about-rain-photography-protecting-your-camera-in-rain","pageExpiryDate":null,"pageExpiryEnabled":null,"pageExpiryRedirectId":null,"pageExpiryRedirectUrl":null,"pageRedirected":false,"pageTitle":"Fire, Flood, Injury: Stage Disasters & Insurance Considerations","parentBlog":{"absoluteUrl":"https://www.frontrowinsurance.com/articles","allowComments":true,"ampBodyColor":"#404040","ampBodyFont":"'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif","ampBodyFontSize":"18","ampCustomCss":"","ampHeaderBackgroundColor":"#ffffff","ampHeaderColor":"#1e1e1e","ampHeaderFont":"'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif","ampHeaderFontSize":"36","ampLinkColor":"#416bb3","ampLogoAlt":"Front Row Insurance logo","ampLogoHeight":63,"ampLogoSrc":"https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/61352/front-row-logo.png","ampLogoWidth":175,"analyticsPageId":137640,"attachedStylesheets":[],"audienceAccess":"PUBLIC","businessUnitId":null,"captchaAfterDays":7,"captchaAlways":false,"categoryId":3,"cdnPurgeEmbargoTime":null,"closeCommentsOlder":0,"commentDateFormat":"medium","commentFormGuid":"7a447743-bbf2-4b55-a759-b405bf392a7d","commentMaxThreadDepth":3,"commentModeration":true,"commentNotificationEmails":["mike@frontrowinsurance.com","grant@frontrowinsurance.com"],"commentShouldCreateContact":true,"commentVerificationText":"","cosObjectType":"BLOG","created":1401900293000,"createdDateTime":1401900293000,"dailyNotificationEmailId":"952268096","dateFormattingLanguage":"en_US","defaultGroupStyleId":"","defaultNotificationFromName":"","defaultNotificationReplyTo":"","deletedAt":0,"description":"The Front Row Insurance Blog where you can learn and converse about all things entertainment insurance related.","domain":"","domainWhenPublished":"www.frontrowinsurance.com","emailApiSubscriptionId":283237,"enableGoogleAmpOutput":true,"enableSocialAutoPublishing":false,"generateJsonLdEnabled":false,"header":null,"htmlFooter":"<!-- DELTA-->","htmlFooterIsShared":false,"htmlHead":"<!-- Blog Schema by Front Row Insurance // https://www.frontrowinsurance.com/ -->\n\n<script type=\"application/ld+json\">\n {\n \"@context\": \"http://schema.org\",\n \"@type\": \"BlogPosting\",\n \"mainEntityOfPage\":{\n \"@type\":\"WebPage\",\n \"@id\":\"https://www.frontrowinsurance.com/articles/infamous-stage-disasters-insurance-considerations\"\n },\n \"headline\": \"Fire, Flood, Injury: Stage Disasters & Insurance Considerations\",\n \"image\": {\n \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n \"url\": \"https://61352.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/61352/blog-image-uploads/nat-theatre-forweb.jpg\"\n },\n \"datePublished\": \"2020-03-04 18:13:39\",\n \"dateModified\": \"\",\n \"author\": {\n \"@type\": \"Person\",\n \"name\": \"') }}\"\n },\n \"publisher\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"FRONT ROW INSURANCE BROKERS\",\n \"logo\": {\n \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n \"url\": \"https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/61352/images/Logos/FR_logo_%5BConverted,-Inverted%5D.png\"\n }\n },\n \"description\": \"This post reviews some infamous theatrical stage disasters that have happened over the years. 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We cannot <i>guarantee</i> that any of these disasters would have necessarily been covered under any insurance claim (coverage decisions are ultimately up to the insurance company), but it is nonetheless instructive to consider what has gone wrong during past live productions – and how insurance might have been helpful – especially if you work in the theatre world.</p>\n<!--more-->\n<h2 class=\"p2\">Globe Theatre fire – London, 1613</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">In 1613, the Globe Theatre in London burnt to the ground. This was the theatre where most of Shakespeare’s plays debuted, including <i>The Tempest</i>.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>How did it happen?</em></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">A theatrical cannon – set off during a performance of <i>All is True/Henry VIII</i> – misfired, igniting the wooden beams and roof. There were no reports of any injuries.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">A year later the theatre was rebuilt, only to be eventually demolished by the Puritans on ideological grounds.</p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\">Iroquois Theatre fire – Chicago, 1903</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">This tragedy was the deadliest theatre fire and the deadliest single-building fire in US history, resulting in at least 602 deaths.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>How did it happen?</em></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">During a matinee of the musical <i>Mr. Blue Beard</i>, sparks from an arc light ignited a curtain, probably as a result of an electrical short circuit. The fire spread quickly from there and those in the crowded theatre began to panic and flee, but this resulted in a human stampede of sorts, and many weren’t able to get out alive.</p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\"><i>Way Upstream</i> flood – London, 1982</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">During a rehearsal of the play <i>Way Upstream</i> – which is set on a cabin cruiser boat on an English river – at London’s National Theatre in 1982, the water tank simulating the river burst. This flooded the National Theatre.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>How did it happen?</em></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The theatre had built a 6K-gallon tank for the boat, but the tank eventually broke and deluged the stage and seating area nearby. The boat had been weighed down by a dozen people, half of them stage crew, at the time of the flood.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\"><i>Mamma Mia!</i> hair dryer slip – London, 2014</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">During a performance of&nbsp;<i>Mamma Mia!</i> in London, actress Kim Ismay (as \"Tanya\") once swung a hair dryer straight into an audience member’s face! The hair dryer’s cable had snapped mid-song, sending the dryer flying into the crowd.</span></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">The audience member was given champagne during the interval to apologize for the accident. A nice touch, certainly – but not likely to be adequate if the patron still decides to sue.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Our <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">SOLO Theatrical Insurance</span> program includes <a href=\"/articles/commercial-general-liability\" rel=\" noopener\">General Liability</a>. This coverage is designed to protect against all sums that the insured shall become legally obligated to pay for bodily injury, property damage or personal injury to third parties arising out of the operations of the insured production. It includes the cost of a lawyer to defend you.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong>Note</strong>: SOLO Theatrical Insurance is for injuries to patrons and damage to venues, <strong>not</strong> performers. Most performers are contract and therefore not covered under SOLO. They would need to be employees.</p>\n<h2>Consider Front Row Theatre Insurance | Performing Arts Insurance | Liability Insurance for Theatre Production Companies</h2>\n<h3 class=\"p1\">Get a theatre insurance quote from Front Row in just 2 minutes: <a href=\"https://stagelive.frontrowinsurance.com/\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span class=\"s1\">https://stagelive.frontrowinsurance.com/</span></a></h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">Offering a simple and quick solution, our SOLO Theatrical Insurance program can be purchased online with a credit card in six minutes and can include the following coverage for up to 4-weeks with no minimum premium:</p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\">Up to $5,000,000 in General Liability Coverage.</li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Optional Theatrical Property coverage for Equipment, <a href=\"/articles/production-equipment-and-props/sets/wardrobe-insurance-explained\" rel=\" noopener\">Props, Sets, and Wardrobe</a>.</li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><a href=\"/articles/video-how-do-i-add-an-additional-insured-to-my-policy\" rel=\" noopener\">Additional Insured</a> certificates for your venue(s) for no additional cost.</li>\n</ul></span>\n","postBodyRss":"<p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: left;\">This post reviews some infamous theatrical stage disasters that have happened over the years. We cannot <i>guarantee</i> that any of these disasters would have necessarily been covered under any insurance claim (coverage decisions are ultimately up to the insurance company), but it is nonetheless instructive to consider what has gone wrong during past live productions – and how insurance might have been helpful – especially if you work in the theatre world.</p>\n<!--more-->\n<h2 class=\"p2\">Globe Theatre fire – London, 1613</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">In 1613, the Globe Theatre in London burnt to the ground. This was the theatre where most of Shakespeare’s plays debuted, including <i>The Tempest</i>.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>How did it happen?</em></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">A theatrical cannon – set off during a performance of <i>All is True/Henry VIII</i> – misfired, igniting the wooden beams and roof. There were no reports of any injuries.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">A year later the theatre was rebuilt, only to be eventually demolished by the Puritans on ideological grounds.</p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\">Iroquois Theatre fire – Chicago, 1903</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">This tragedy was the deadliest theatre fire and the deadliest single-building fire in US history, resulting in at least 602 deaths.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>How did it happen?</em></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">During a matinee of the musical <i>Mr. Blue Beard</i>, sparks from an arc light ignited a curtain, probably as a result of an electrical short circuit. The fire spread quickly from there and those in the crowded theatre began to panic and flee, but this resulted in a human stampede of sorts, and many weren’t able to get out alive.</p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\"><i>Way Upstream</i> flood – London, 1982</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">During a rehearsal of the play <i>Way Upstream</i> – which is set on a cabin cruiser boat on an English river – at London’s National Theatre in 1982, the water tank simulating the river burst. This flooded the National Theatre.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>How did it happen?</em></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The theatre had built a 6K-gallon tank for the boat, but the tank eventually broke and deluged the stage and seating area nearby. The boat had been weighed down by a dozen people, half of them stage crew, at the time of the flood.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\"><i>Mamma Mia!</i> hair dryer slip – London, 2014</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">During a performance of&nbsp;<i>Mamma Mia!</i> in London, actress Kim Ismay (as \"Tanya\") once swung a hair dryer straight into an audience member’s face! The hair dryer’s cable had snapped mid-song, sending the dryer flying into the crowd.</span></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">The audience member was given champagne during the interval to apologize for the accident. A nice touch, certainly – but not likely to be adequate if the patron still decides to sue.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Our <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">SOLO Theatrical Insurance</span> program includes <a href=\"/articles/commercial-general-liability\" rel=\" noopener\">General Liability</a>. This coverage is designed to protect against all sums that the insured shall become legally obligated to pay for bodily injury, property damage or personal injury to third parties arising out of the operations of the insured production. It includes the cost of a lawyer to defend you.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong>Note</strong>: SOLO Theatrical Insurance is for injuries to patrons and damage to venues, <strong>not</strong> performers. Most performers are contract and therefore not covered under SOLO. They would need to be employees.</p>\n<h2>Consider Front Row Theatre Insurance | Performing Arts Insurance | Liability Insurance for Theatre Production Companies</h2>\n<h3 class=\"p1\">Get a theatre insurance quote from Front Row in just 2 minutes: <a href=\"https://stagelive.frontrowinsurance.com/\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span class=\"s1\">https://stagelive.frontrowinsurance.com/</span></a></h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">Offering a simple and quick solution, our SOLO Theatrical Insurance program can be purchased online with a credit card in six minutes and can include the following coverage for up to 4-weeks with no minimum premium:</p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\">Up to $5,000,000 in General Liability Coverage.</li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Optional Theatrical Property coverage for Equipment, <a href=\"/articles/production-equipment-and-props/sets/wardrobe-insurance-explained\" rel=\" noopener\">Props, Sets, and Wardrobe</a>.</li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><a href=\"/articles/video-how-do-i-add-an-additional-insured-to-my-policy\" rel=\" noopener\">Additional Insured</a> certificates for your venue(s) for no additional cost.</li>\n</ul>","postEmailContent":"<p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: left;\">This post reviews some infamous theatrical stage disasters that have happened over the years. We cannot <i>guarantee</i> that any of these disasters would have necessarily been covered under any insurance claim (coverage decisions are ultimately up to the insurance company), but it is nonetheless instructive to consider what has gone wrong during past live productions – and how insurance might have been helpful – especially if you work in the theatre world.</p>","postFeaturedImageIfEnabled":"https://61352.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/61352/blog-image-uploads/nat-theatre-forweb.jpg","postListContent":"\n\n\n\n <span id=\"hs_cos_wrapper_post_body\" class=\"hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field hs_cos_wrapper_type_rich_text\" style=\"\" data-hs-cos-general-type=\"meta_field\" data-hs-cos-type=\"rich_text\" ><p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: left;\">This post reviews some infamous theatrical stage disasters that have happened over the years. We cannot <i>guarantee</i> that any of these disasters would have necessarily been covered under any insurance claim (coverage decisions are ultimately up to the insurance company), but it is nonetheless instructive to consider what has gone wrong during past live productions – and how insurance might have been helpful – especially if you work in the theatre world.</p>\n<!--more-->\n<h2 class=\"p2\">Globe Theatre fire – London, 1613</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">In 1613, the Globe Theatre in London burnt to the ground. This was the theatre where most of Shakespeare’s plays debuted, including <i>The Tempest</i>.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>How did it happen?</em></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">A theatrical cannon – set off during a performance of <i>All is True/Henry VIII</i> – misfired, igniting the wooden beams and roof. There were no reports of any injuries.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">A year later the theatre was rebuilt, only to be eventually demolished by the Puritans on ideological grounds.</p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\">Iroquois Theatre fire – Chicago, 1903</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">This tragedy was the deadliest theatre fire and the deadliest single-building fire in US history, resulting in at least 602 deaths.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>How did it happen?</em></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">During a matinee of the musical <i>Mr. Blue Beard</i>, sparks from an arc light ignited a curtain, probably as a result of an electrical short circuit. The fire spread quickly from there and those in the crowded theatre began to panic and flee, but this resulted in a human stampede of sorts, and many weren’t able to get out alive.</p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\"><i>Way Upstream</i> flood – London, 1982</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">During a rehearsal of the play <i>Way Upstream</i> – which is set on a cabin cruiser boat on an English river – at London’s National Theatre in 1982, the water tank simulating the river burst. This flooded the National Theatre.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>How did it happen?</em></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The theatre had built a 6K-gallon tank for the boat, but the tank eventually broke and deluged the stage and seating area nearby. The boat had been weighed down by a dozen people, half of them stage crew, at the time of the flood.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\"><i>Mamma Mia!</i> hair dryer slip – London, 2014</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">During a performance of&nbsp;<i>Mamma Mia!</i> in London, actress Kim Ismay (as \"Tanya\") once swung a hair dryer straight into an audience member’s face! The hair dryer’s cable had snapped mid-song, sending the dryer flying into the crowd.</span></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">The audience member was given champagne during the interval to apologize for the accident. A nice touch, certainly – but not likely to be adequate if the patron still decides to sue.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Our <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">SOLO Theatrical Insurance</span> program includes <a href=\"/articles/commercial-general-liability\" rel=\" noopener\">General Liability</a>. This coverage is designed to protect against all sums that the insured shall become legally obligated to pay for bodily injury, property damage or personal injury to third parties arising out of the operations of the insured production. It includes the cost of a lawyer to defend you.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong>Note</strong>: SOLO Theatrical Insurance is for injuries to patrons and damage to venues, <strong>not</strong> performers. Most performers are contract and therefore not covered under SOLO. They would need to be employees.</p>\n<h2>Consider Front Row Theatre Insurance | Performing Arts Insurance | Liability Insurance for Theatre Production Companies</h2>\n<h3 class=\"p1\">Get a theatre insurance quote from Front Row in just 2 minutes: <a href=\"https://stagelive.frontrowinsurance.com/\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span class=\"s1\">https://stagelive.frontrowinsurance.com/</span></a></h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">Offering a simple and quick solution, our SOLO Theatrical Insurance program can be purchased online with a credit card in six minutes and can include the following coverage for up to 4-weeks with no minimum premium:</p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\">Up to $5,000,000 in General Liability Coverage.</li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Optional Theatrical Property coverage for Equipment, <a href=\"/articles/production-equipment-and-props/sets/wardrobe-insurance-explained\" rel=\" noopener\">Props, Sets, and Wardrobe</a>.</li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><a href=\"/articles/video-how-do-i-add-an-additional-insured-to-my-policy\" rel=\" noopener\">Additional Insured</a> certificates for your venue(s) for no additional cost.</li>\n</ul></span>\n","postListSummaryFeaturedImage":"","postRssContent":"<p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: left;\">This post reviews some infamous theatrical stage disasters that have happened over the years. We cannot <i>guarantee</i> that any of these disasters would have necessarily been covered under any insurance claim (coverage decisions are ultimately up to the insurance company), but it is nonetheless instructive to consider what has gone wrong during past live productions – and how insurance might have been helpful – especially if you work in the theatre world.</p>","postRssSummaryFeaturedImage":"https://61352.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/61352/blog-image-uploads/nat-theatre-forweb.jpg","postSummary":"<p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: left;\">This post reviews some infamous theatrical stage disasters that have happened over the years. We cannot <i>guarantee</i> that any of these disasters would have necessarily been covered under any insurance claim (coverage decisions are ultimately up to the insurance company), but it is nonetheless instructive to consider what has gone wrong during past live productions – and how insurance might have been helpful – especially if you work in the theatre world.</p>\n","postSummaryRss":"<p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: left;\">This post reviews some infamous theatrical stage disasters that have happened over the years. We cannot <i>guarantee</i> that any of these disasters would have necessarily been covered under any insurance claim (coverage decisions are ultimately up to the insurance company), but it is nonetheless instructive to consider what has gone wrong during past live productions – and how insurance might have been helpful – especially if you work in the theatre world.</p>","postTemplate":"prox_frontrow/templates/blog/blog-post.html","previewImageSrc":null,"previewKey":"zULfAkME","previousPostFeaturedImage":"https://61352.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/61352/blog-image-uploads/photo-biz-forweb.jpg","previousPostFeaturedImageAltText":"Photography business insurance Canada","previousPostName":"I’m just starting out in my photography business; do I need insurance?","previousPostSlug":"articles/photography-business-do-i-need-insurance","processingStatus":"PUBLISHED","propertyForDynamicPageCanonicalUrl":null,"propertyForDynamicPageFeaturedImage":null,"propertyForDynamicPageMetaDescription":null,"propertyForDynamicPageSlug":null,"propertyForDynamicPageTitle":null,"publicAccessRules":[],"publicAccessRulesEnabled":false,"publishDate":1583345619000,"publishDateLocalTime":1583345619000,"publishDateLocalized":{"date":1583345619000,"format":"medium","language":"en_US"},"publishImmediately":true,"publishTimezoneOffset":null,"publishedAt":1672951658312,"publishedByEmail":null,"publishedById":7915797,"publishedByName":null,"publishedUrl":"https://www.frontrowinsurance.com/articles/infamous-stage-disasters-insurance-considerations","resolvedDomain":"www.frontrowinsurance.com","resolvedLanguage":null,"rssBody":"<p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: left;\">This post reviews some infamous theatrical stage disasters that have happened over the years. We cannot <i>guarantee</i> that any of these disasters would have necessarily been covered under any insurance claim (coverage decisions are ultimately up to the insurance company), but it is nonetheless instructive to consider what has gone wrong during past live productions – and how insurance might have been helpful – especially if you work in the theatre world.</p>\n<!--more-->\n<h2 class=\"p2\">Globe Theatre fire – London, 1613</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">In 1613, the Globe Theatre in London burnt to the ground. This was the theatre where most of Shakespeare’s plays debuted, including <i>The Tempest</i>.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>How did it happen?</em></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">A theatrical cannon – set off during a performance of <i>All is True/Henry VIII</i> – misfired, igniting the wooden beams and roof. There were no reports of any injuries.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">A year later the theatre was rebuilt, only to be eventually demolished by the Puritans on ideological grounds.</p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\">Iroquois Theatre fire – Chicago, 1903</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">This tragedy was the deadliest theatre fire and the deadliest single-building fire in US history, resulting in at least 602 deaths.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>How did it happen?</em></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">During a matinee of the musical <i>Mr. Blue Beard</i>, sparks from an arc light ignited a curtain, probably as a result of an electrical short circuit. The fire spread quickly from there and those in the crowded theatre began to panic and flee, but this resulted in a human stampede of sorts, and many weren’t able to get out alive.</p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\"><i>Way Upstream</i> flood – London, 1982</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">During a rehearsal of the play <i>Way Upstream</i> – which is set on a cabin cruiser boat on an English river – at London’s National Theatre in 1982, the water tank simulating the river burst. This flooded the National Theatre.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>How did it happen?</em></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The theatre had built a 6K-gallon tank for the boat, but the tank eventually broke and deluged the stage and seating area nearby. The boat had been weighed down by a dozen people, half of them stage crew, at the time of the flood.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\"><i>Mamma Mia!</i> hair dryer slip – London, 2014</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">During a performance of&nbsp;<i>Mamma Mia!</i> in London, actress Kim Ismay (as \"Tanya\") once swung a hair dryer straight into an audience member’s face! The hair dryer’s cable had snapped mid-song, sending the dryer flying into the crowd.</span></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">The audience member was given champagne during the interval to apologize for the accident. A nice touch, certainly – but not likely to be adequate if the patron still decides to sue.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Our <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">SOLO Theatrical Insurance</span> program includes <a href=\"/articles/commercial-general-liability\" rel=\" noopener\">General Liability</a>. This coverage is designed to protect against all sums that the insured shall become legally obligated to pay for bodily injury, property damage or personal injury to third parties arising out of the operations of the insured production. It includes the cost of a lawyer to defend you.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong>Note</strong>: SOLO Theatrical Insurance is for injuries to patrons and damage to venues, <strong>not</strong> performers. Most performers are contract and therefore not covered under SOLO. They would need to be employees.</p>\n<h2>Consider Front Row Theatre Insurance | Performing Arts Insurance | Liability Insurance for Theatre Production Companies</h2>\n<h3 class=\"p1\">Get a theatre insurance quote from Front Row in just 2 minutes: <a href=\"https://stagelive.frontrowinsurance.com/\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span class=\"s1\">https://stagelive.frontrowinsurance.com/</span></a></h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">Offering a simple and quick solution, our SOLO Theatrical Insurance program can be purchased online with a credit card in six minutes and can include the following coverage for up to 4-weeks with no minimum premium:</p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\">Up to $5,000,000 in General Liability Coverage.</li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Optional Theatrical Property coverage for Equipment, <a href=\"/articles/production-equipment-and-props/sets/wardrobe-insurance-explained\" rel=\" noopener\">Props, Sets, and Wardrobe</a>.</li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><a href=\"/articles/video-how-do-i-add-an-additional-insured-to-my-policy\" rel=\" noopener\">Additional Insured</a> certificates for your venue(s) for no additional cost.</li>\n</ul>","rssSummary":"<p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: left;\">This post reviews some infamous theatrical stage disasters that have happened over the years. We cannot <i>guarantee</i> that any of these disasters would have necessarily been covered under any insurance claim (coverage decisions are ultimately up to the insurance company), but it is nonetheless instructive to consider what has gone wrong during past live productions – and how insurance might have been helpful – especially if you work in the theatre world.</p>\n","rssSummaryFeaturedImage":"https://61352.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/61352/blog-image-uploads/nat-theatre-forweb.jpg","scheduledUpdateDate":0,"screenshotPreviewTakenAt":1723150091279,"screenshotPreviewUrl":"https://cdn1.hubspot.net/hubshotv3/prod/e/0/7adf7148-8c35-4649-9d5c-3af9d521fc20.png","sections":{},"securityState":"NONE","siteId":null,"slug":"articles/infamous-stage-disasters-insurance-considerations","stagedFrom":null,"state":"PUBLISHED","stateWhenDeleted":null,"structuredContentPageType":null,"structuredContentType":null,"styleOverrideId":null,"subcategory":"normal_blog_post","syncedWithBlogRoot":true,"tagIds":[949709739,3131630093],"tagList":[{"categoryId":0,"cdnPurgeEmbargoTime":null,"contentIds":[],"cosObjectType":"TAG","created":1401901805000,"deletedAt":0,"description":"","id":949709739,"label":"Pyrotechnics","language":"en","name":"Pyrotechnics","portalId":61352,"slug":"pyrotechnics","translatedFromId":null,"translations":{},"updated":1666900159462},{"categoryId":0,"cdnPurgeEmbargoTime":null,"contentIds":[],"cosObjectType":"TAG","created":1437068210000,"deletedAt":0,"description":"","id":3131630093,"label":"Theatre insurance","language":"en","name":"Theatre insurance","portalId":61352,"slug":"theatre-insurance","translatedFromId":null,"translations":{},"updated":1666900182978}],"tagNames":["Pyrotechnics","Theatre insurance"],"teamPerms":[],"templatePath":"","templatePathForRender":"prox_frontrow/templates/blog/blog-post.html","textToAudioFileId":null,"textToAudioGenerationRequestId":null,"themePath":null,"themeSettingsValues":null,"title":"Fire, Flood, Injury: Stage Disasters & Insurance Considerations","tmsId":null,"topicIds":[949709739,3131630093],"topicList":[{"categoryId":0,"cdnPurgeEmbargoTime":null,"contentIds":[],"cosObjectType":"TAG","created":1401901805000,"deletedAt":0,"description":"","id":949709739,"label":"Pyrotechnics","language":"en","name":"Pyrotechnics","portalId":61352,"slug":"pyrotechnics","translatedFromId":null,"translations":{},"updated":1666900159462},{"categoryId":0,"cdnPurgeEmbargoTime":null,"contentIds":[],"cosObjectType":"TAG","created":1437068210000,"deletedAt":0,"description":"","id":3131630093,"label":"Theatre insurance","language":"en","name":"Theatre insurance","portalId":61352,"slug":"theatre-insurance","translatedFromId":null,"translations":{},"updated":1666900182978}],"topicNames":["Pyrotechnics","Theatre insurance"],"topics":[949709739,3131630093],"translatedContent":{},"translatedFromId":null,"translations":{},"tweet":null,"tweetAt":null,"tweetImmediately":false,"unpublishedAt":0,"updated":1672951658317,"updatedById":7915797,"upsizeFeaturedImage":false,"url":"https://www.frontrowinsurance.com/articles/infamous-stage-disasters-insurance-considerations","useFeaturedImage":true,"userPerms":[],"views":0,"visibleToAll":null,"widgetContainers":{},"widgetcontainers":{},"widgets":{"module_156398965931111":{"body":{"definition_id":null,"module_id":8696351,"path":"/Marketplace/HubSpot/Team_Member/Team Member","per_widget_wrapper_html":"","smart_objects":null,"smart_type":"NOT_SMART","tag":"module","type":"module","widget_name":"Team Member","wrapping_html":""},"child_css":{},"css":{},"deleted_at":1650475352045,"id":"module_156398965931111","label":"Team Member","module_id":8696351,"name":"module_156398965931111","order":11,"smart_type":null,"styles":{},"type":"module"},"module_15960847531069":{"body":{"add_form":{"form_id":"8fe9c58f-0926-41ec-805c-801b8400ba77","form_type":"HUBSPOT","gotowebinar_webinar_key":null,"message":"<p>Thanks for submitting the form. The eBook will be emailed to you shortly.</p>","response_type":"inline"},"add_form_title":"Download Free eBook: Theatre Production Safety Best Practices for Canadian Theatre Professionals ","enable_form":true,"module_id":33051772119},"child_css":{},"css":{},"id":"module_15960847531069","label":"Blog Subscribe New Module 2020","module_id":33051772119,"name":"module_15960847531069","order":6,"smart_type":null,"styles":{},"type":"module"},"module_15965216980304":{"body":{"add_content":"<h2 class=\"p5\">Refer a Friend to Front Row </h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">Based on customer demand, we’ve setup our <a href=\"/referral\" rel=\" noopener\"><span class=\"s3\">referral marketing program</span></a> and if you refer a friend to Front Row, you could win a $15 Amazon eGift Card OR be entered into a random draw to win a $99 Amazon eGift Card! <i>(depending on your province)</i></p>\n<p class=\"p7\" style=\"font-size: 13px;\"><strong><i>DISCLAIMER</i></strong><i>: Informational statements regarding insurance coverage are for general description purposes only. These statements do not amend, modify or supplement any insurance policy. Consult the actual policy or your broker for details regarding terms, conditions, coverage, exclusions, products, services and programs which may be available to you. Your eligibility for particular products and services is subject to the final determination of underwriting qualifications and acceptance by the insurance underwriting company providing such products or services. This website does not make any representations that coverage does or does not exist for any particular claim or loss, or type of claim or loss, under any policy. Whether coverage exists or does not exist for any particular claim or loss under any policy depends on the facts and circumstances involved in the claim or loss and all applicable policy wording.</i></p>\n<h3 class=\"p8\">Citations:</h3>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p10\"><span class=\"s3\"><a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iroquois_Theatre_fire\">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iroquois_Theatre_fire</a></span></li>\n<li class=\"p10\"><a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2003/oct/23/theatre2\" style=\"font-size: 16px; background-color: transparent;\">https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2003/oct/23/theatre2</a></li>\n<li class=\"p10\"><a href=\"https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35487806\" style=\"font-size: 16px; background-color: transparent;\">https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35487806</a></li>\n<li class=\"p10\"><a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globe_Theatre\" style=\"font-size: 16px; background-color: transparent;\">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globe_Theatre</a></li>\n<li class=\"p10\"><a href=\"https://www.westendwilma.com/when-good-shows-go-bad-theatre-disasters/\" style=\"font-size: 16px; background-color: transparent;\">https://www.westendwilma.com/when-good-shows-go-bad-theatre-disasters/</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3><span>Related:</span></h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/theatre-insurance-101\" rel=\" noopener\">THEATRE INSURANCE 101 / THEATRICAL INSURANCE / PERFORMING ARTS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/ebook-theatre-production-safety-best-practices\" rel=\"noopener\">FREE EBOOK: THEATRE SAFETY BEST PRACTICES (SELLERY HEALTH+SAFETY)</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/theatre-insurance-reduce-the-potential-disaster-to-a-minor-inconvenience\" rel=\" noopener\">MAKE A POTENTIAL DISASTER A MINOR INCONVENIENCE / THEATRE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/british-pantomime-and-theatre-insurance\" rel=\" noopener\">BRITISH PANTOMIME AND THEATRE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">FAMOUS STAGE DISASTERS / THEATRE INSURANCE</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/theatre-insurance\" rel=\" noopener\">THEATRE INSURANCE - VENUES AND GROUPS / THEATRE COMPANY INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/4-easy-steps-to-reading-an-insurance-policy\" rel=\" noopener\">4 EASY STEPS TO READING A THEATRE INSURANCE POLICY</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/...but-isnt-the-circus-supposed-to-be-dangerous\" rel=\" noopener\">CIRCUS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/circus-acrobatics-aerial-actone\" rel=\" noopener\">AERIAL INSURANCE / AERIAL ARTS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/dance-performance-insurance-venues-and-groups\" rel=\" noopener\">DANCE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/opera-insurance-performance-venues-and-groups\" rel=\" noopener\">OPERA INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/en-ca/theatre-dance-and-opera-insurance\" rel=\" noopener\">ACTONE INSURANCE / PERFORMERS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/the-directors-and-officers-insurance-experts-for-arts-groups\" rel=\" noopener\">DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS (D&amp;O) INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/cast-insurance-for-live-performances-making-the-decision-before-you-have-a-deal\" rel=\" noopener\">CAST INSURANCE FOR LIVE PERFORMERS</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/articles/bid/25404/insurance-for-body-parts\" rel=\" noopener\">INSURANCE FOR BODY PARTS / BODY PART INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/en-ca/arts-educators\" rel=\" noopener\">PROTÉGÉ: CUSTOM INSURANCE FOR ART SCHOOLS AND ARTS EDUCATORS</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/safeguarding-your-students-art-school-part1\" rel=\" noopener\">SAFEGUARDING YOUR STUDENTS WITH ART SCHOOL INSURANCE PART 1</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/safeguarding-your-students-art-school-part2\" rel=\" noopener\">SAFEGUARDING YOUR STUDENTS WITH ART SCHOOL INSURANCE PART 2</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/intimacy-directors-in-the-theatre-world\" rel=\" noopener\">INTIMACY COACHES IN THE THEATRE WORLD / INTIMACY DIRECTORS</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/short-term-theatre-insurance-now-available-online\" rel=\" noopener\">SHORT-TERM THEATRE INSURANCE / PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR PERFORMERS</a></p>","enable_rich_text_module":true,"module_id":33156769794},"child_css":{},"css":{},"id":"module_15965216980304","label":"Basic Rich Text Box for Blog","module_id":33156769794,"name":"module_15965216980304","order":8,"smart_type":null,"styles":{},"type":"module"},"name":{"body":{"title":"Fire, Flood, Injury: Stage Disasters & Insurance Considerations"},"id":"name","label":"Title","name":"name","type":"text"},"post_body":{"body":{"html":"<h1>Fire, Flood, Injury: Infamous Stage Disasters &amp; Insurance Considerations</h1>\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><img src=\"https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/61352/blog-image-uploads/nat-theatre-forweb.jpg\" alt=\"Infamous Stage Disasters - National Theatre\" width=\"600\" style=\"width: 600px; display: block; margin: 0px auto;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 12px;\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">London’s National Theatre | Shutterstock Royalty-free stock photo ID: 1164426331</span>.</span></em></p>\n<!--more-->\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: left;\">This post reviews some infamous theatrical stage disasters that have happened over the years. We cannot <i>guarantee</i> that any of these disasters would have necessarily been covered under any insurance claim (coverage decisions are ultimately up to the insurance company), but it is nonetheless instructive to consider what has gone wrong during past live productions – and how insurance might have been helpful – especially if you work in the theatre world.</p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\">Globe Theatre fire – London, 1613</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">In 1613, the Globe Theatre in London burnt to the ground. This was the theatre where most of Shakespeare’s plays debuted, including <i>The Tempest</i>.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>How did it happen?</em></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">A theatrical cannon – set off during a performance of <i>All is True/Henry VIII</i> – misfired, igniting the wooden beams and roof. There were no reports of any injuries.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">A year later the theatre was rebuilt, only to be eventually demolished by the Puritans on ideological grounds.</p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\">Iroquois Theatre fire – Chicago, 1903</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">This tragedy was the deadliest theatre fire and the deadliest single-building fire in US history, resulting in at least 602 deaths.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>How did it happen?</em></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">During a matinee of the musical <i>Mr. Blue Beard</i>, sparks from an arc light ignited a curtain, probably as a result of an electrical short circuit. The fire spread quickly from there and those in the crowded theatre began to panic and flee, but this resulted in a human stampede of sorts, and many weren’t able to get out alive.</p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\"><i>Way Upstream</i> flood – London, 1982</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">During a rehearsal of the play <i>Way Upstream</i> – which is set on a cabin cruiser boat on an English river – at London’s National Theatre in 1982, the water tank simulating the river burst. This flooded the National Theatre.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em>How did it happen?</em></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The theatre had built a 6K-gallon tank for the boat, but the tank eventually broke and deluged the stage and seating area nearby. The boat had been weighed down by a dozen people, half of them stage crew, at the time of the flood.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\"><i>Mamma Mia!</i> hair dryer slip – London, 2014</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">During a performance of&nbsp;<i>Mamma Mia!</i> in London, actress Kim Ismay (as \"Tanya\") once swung a hair dryer straight into an audience member’s face! The hair dryer’s cable had snapped mid-song, sending the dryer flying into the crowd.</span></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">The audience member was given champagne during the interval to apologize for the accident. A nice touch, certainly – but not likely to be adequate if the patron still decides to sue.</p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Our <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">SOLO Theatrical Insurance</span> program includes <a href=\"/articles/commercial-general-liability\" rel=\" noopener\">General Liability</a>. This coverage is designed to protect against all sums that the insured shall become legally obligated to pay for bodily injury, property damage or personal injury to third parties arising out of the operations of the insured production. It includes the cost of a lawyer to defend you.</p>\n<h2>Consider Front Row Theatre Insurance | Performing Arts Insurance | Liability Insurance for Theatre Production Companies</h2>\n<h3 class=\"p1\">Get a theatre insurance quote from Front Row in just 2 minutes: <a href=\"https://stagelive.frontrowinsurance.com/\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span class=\"s1\">https://stagelive.frontrowinsurance.com/</span></a></h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">Offering a simple and quick solution, our SOLO Theatrical Insurance program can be purchased online with a credit card in six minutes and can include the following coverage for up to 4-weeks with no minimum premium:</p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\">Up to $5,000,000 in General Liability Coverage.</li>\n<li class=\"li1\">Optional Theatrical Property coverage for Equipment, <a href=\"/articles/production-equipment-and-props/sets/wardrobe-insurance-explained\" rel=\" noopener\">Props, Sets, and Wardrobe</a>.</li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><a href=\"/articles/video-how-do-i-add-an-additional-insured-to-my-policy\" rel=\" noopener\">Additional Insured</a> certificates for your venue(s) for no additional cost.</li>\n</ul>\n<h2 class=\"p5\">Refer a Friend to Front Row Insurance</h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">Based on customer demand, we’ve setup our <a href=\"/referral\" rel=\" noopener\"><span class=\"s3\">referral marketing program</span></a> and if you refer a friend to Front Row, you could win a $15 Amazon eGift Card OR be entered into a random draw to win a $99 Amazon eGift Card! <i>(depending on your province)</i></p>\n<p class=\"p7\" style=\"font-size: 13px;\"><strong><i>DISCLAIMER</i></strong><i>: Informational statements regarding insurance coverage are for general description purposes only. These statements do not amend, modify or supplement any insurance policy. Consult the actual policy or your broker for details regarding terms, conditions, coverage, exclusions, products, services and programs which may be available to you. Your eligibility for particular products and services is subject to the final determination of underwriting qualifications and acceptance by the insurance underwriting company providing such products or services. This website does not make any representations that coverage does or does not exist for any particular claim or loss, or type of claim or loss, under any policy. Whether coverage exists or does not exist for any particular claim or loss under any policy depends on the facts and circumstances involved in the claim or loss and all applicable policy wording.</i></p>\n<p class=\"p6\">&nbsp;</p>\n<h3 class=\"p8\">Citations:</h3>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p10\"><span class=\"s3\"><a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iroquois_Theatre_fire\">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iroquois_Theatre_fire</a></span></li>\n<li class=\"p10\"><a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2003/oct/23/theatre2\" style=\"font-size: 16px; background-color: transparent;\">https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2003/oct/23/theatre2</a></li>\n<li class=\"p10\"><a href=\"https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35487806\" style=\"font-size: 16px; background-color: transparent;\">https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35487806</a></li>\n<li class=\"p10\"><a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globe_Theatre\" style=\"font-size: 16px; background-color: transparent;\">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globe_Theatre</a></li>\n<li class=\"p10\"><a href=\"https://www.westendwilma.com/when-good-shows-go-bad-theatre-disasters/\" style=\"font-size: 16px; background-color: transparent;\">https://www.westendwilma.com/when-good-shows-go-bad-theatre-disasters/</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>&nbsp;</h3>\n<h3><span>Related:</span></h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/theatre-insurance-101\" rel=\" noopener\">THEATRE INSURANCE 101 / THEATRICAL INSURANCE / PERFORMING ARTS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/theatre-insurance-reduce-the-potential-disaster-to-a-minor-inconvenience\" rel=\" noopener\">MAKE A POTENTIAL DISASTER A MINOR INCONVENIENCE / THEATRE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/british-pantomime-and-theatre-insurance\" rel=\" noopener\">BRITISH PANTOMIME AND THEATRE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">FAMOUS STAGE DISASTERS / THEATRE INSURANCE</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/theatre-insurance\" rel=\" noopener\">THEATRE INSURANCE - VENUES AND GROUPS / THEATRE COMPANY INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/4-easy-steps-to-reading-an-insurance-policy\" rel=\" noopener\">4 EASY STEPS TO READING A THEATRE INSURANCE POLICY</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/...but-isnt-the-circus-supposed-to-be-dangerous\" rel=\" noopener\">CIRCUS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/circus-acrobatics-aerial-actone\" rel=\" noopener\">AERIAL INSURANCE / AERIAL ARTS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/dance-performance-insurance-venues-and-groups\" rel=\" noopener\">DANCE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/opera-insurance-performance-venues-and-groups\" rel=\" noopener\">OPERA INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/en-ca/theatre-dance-and-opera-insurance\" rel=\" noopener\">ACTONE INSURANCE / PERFORMERS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/the-directors-and-officers-insurance-experts-for-arts-groups\" rel=\" noopener\">DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS (D&amp;O) INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/cast-insurance-for-live-performances-making-the-decision-before-you-have-a-deal\" rel=\" noopener\">CAST INSURANCE FOR LIVE PERFORMERS</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/articles/bid/25404/insurance-for-body-parts\" rel=\" noopener\">INSURANCE FOR BODY PARTS / BODY PART INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/en-ca/arts-educators\" rel=\" noopener\">PROTÉGÉ: CUSTOM INSURANCE FOR ART SCHOOLS AND ARTS EDUCATORS</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/safeguarding-your-students-art-school-part1\" rel=\" noopener\">SAFEGUARDING YOUR STUDENTS WITH ART SCHOOL INSURANCE PART 1</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/safeguarding-your-students-art-school-part2\" rel=\" noopener\">SAFEGUARDING YOUR STUDENTS WITH ART SCHOOL INSURANCE PART 2</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/intimacy-directors-in-the-theatre-world\" rel=\" noopener\">INTIMACY COACHES IN THE THEATRE WORLD / INTIMACY DIRECTORS</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/short-term-theatre-insurance-now-available-online\" rel=\" noopener\">SHORT-TERM THEATRE INSURANCE / PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR PERFORMERS</a></p>"},"deleted_at":1610038749107,"id":"post_body","label":"Blog Content","name":"post_body","type":"rich_text"}}}

Fire, Flood, Injury: Stage Disasters & Insurance Considerations

National Theatre: theatre insurance Canada

This post reviews some infamous theatrical stage disasters that have happened over the years. We cannot guarantee that any of these disasters would have necessarily been covered under any insurance claim (coverage decisions are ultimately up to the insurance company), but it is nonetheless instructive to consider what has gone wrong during past live productions – and how insurance might have been helpful – especially if you work in the theatre world.

Globe Theatre fire – London, 1613

In 1613, the Globe Theatre in London burnt to the ground. This was the theatre where most of Shakespeare’s plays debuted, including The Tempest.

How did it happen?

A theatrical cannon – set off during a performance of All is True/Henry VIII – misfired, igniting the wooden beams and roof. There were no reports of any injuries.

A year later the theatre was rebuilt, only to be eventually demolished by the Puritans on ideological grounds.

Iroquois Theatre fire – Chicago, 1903

This tragedy was the deadliest theatre fire and the deadliest single-building fire in US history, resulting in at least 602 deaths.

How did it happen?

During a matinee of the musical Mr. Blue Beard, sparks from an arc light ignited a curtain, probably as a result of an electrical short circuit. The fire spread quickly from there and those in the crowded theatre began to panic and flee, but this resulted in a human stampede of sorts, and many weren’t able to get out alive.

Way Upstream flood – London, 1982

During a rehearsal of the play Way Upstream – which is set on a cabin cruiser boat on an English river – at London’s National Theatre in 1982, the water tank simulating the river burst. This flooded the National Theatre.

How did it happen?

The theatre had built a 6K-gallon tank for the boat, but the tank eventually broke and deluged the stage and seating area nearby. The boat had been weighed down by a dozen people, half of them stage crew, at the time of the flood.

Mamma Mia! hair dryer slip – London, 2014

During a performance of Mamma Mia! in London, actress Kim Ismay (as "Tanya") once swung a hair dryer straight into an audience member’s face! The hair dryer’s cable had snapped mid-song, sending the dryer flying into the crowd.

The audience member was given champagne during the interval to apologize for the accident. A nice touch, certainly – but not likely to be adequate if the patron still decides to sue.

Our SOLO Theatrical Insurance program includes General Liability. This coverage is designed to protect against all sums that the insured shall become legally obligated to pay for bodily injury, property damage or personal injury to third parties arising out of the operations of the insured production. It includes the cost of a lawyer to defend you.

Note: SOLO Theatrical Insurance is for injuries to patrons and damage to venues, not performers. Most performers are contract and therefore not covered under SOLO. They would need to be employees.

Consider Front Row Theatre Insurance | Performing Arts Insurance | Liability Insurance for Theatre Production Companies

Get a theatre insurance quote from Front Row in just 2 minutes: https://stagelive.frontrowinsurance.com/

Offering a simple and quick solution, our SOLO Theatrical Insurance program can be purchased online with a credit card in six minutes and can include the following coverage for up to 4-weeks with no minimum premium:

Download Free eBook: Theatre Production Safety Best Practices for Canadian Theatre Professionals

Refer a Friend to Front Row

Based on customer demand, we’ve setup our referral marketing program and if you refer a friend to Front Row, you could win a $15 Amazon eGift Card OR be entered into a random draw to win a $99 Amazon eGift Card! (depending on your province)

DISCLAIMER: Informational statements regarding insurance coverage are for general description purposes only. These statements do not amend, modify or supplement any insurance policy. Consult the actual policy or your broker for details regarding terms, conditions, coverage, exclusions, products, services and programs which may be available to you. Your eligibility for particular products and services is subject to the final determination of underwriting qualifications and acceptance by the insurance underwriting company providing such products or services. This website does not make any representations that coverage does or does not exist for any particular claim or loss, or type of claim or loss, under any policy. Whether coverage exists or does not exist for any particular claim or loss under any policy depends on the facts and circumstances involved in the claim or loss and all applicable policy wording.

Citations:

Related:

THEATRE INSURANCE 101 / THEATRICAL INSURANCE / PERFORMING ARTS INSURANCE

FREE EBOOK: THEATRE SAFETY BEST PRACTICES (SELLERY HEALTH+SAFETY)

MAKE A POTENTIAL DISASTER A MINOR INCONVENIENCE / THEATRE INSURANCE

BRITISH PANTOMIME AND THEATRE INSURANCE

FAMOUS STAGE DISASTERS / THEATRE INSURANCE

THEATRE INSURANCE - VENUES AND GROUPS / THEATRE COMPANY INSURANCE

4 EASY STEPS TO READING A THEATRE INSURANCE POLICY

CIRCUS INSURANCE

AERIAL INSURANCE / AERIAL ARTS INSURANCE

DANCE INSURANCE

OPERA INSURANCE

ACTONE INSURANCE / PERFORMERS INSURANCE

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS (D&O) INSURANCE

CAST INSURANCE FOR LIVE PERFORMERS

INSURANCE FOR BODY PARTS / BODY PART INSURANCE

PROTÉGÉ: CUSTOM INSURANCE FOR ART SCHOOLS AND ARTS EDUCATORS

SAFEGUARDING YOUR STUDENTS WITH ART SCHOOL INSURANCE PART 1

SAFEGUARDING YOUR STUDENTS WITH ART SCHOOL INSURANCE PART 2

INTIMACY COACHES IN THE THEATRE WORLD / INTIMACY DIRECTORS

SHORT-TERM THEATRE INSURANCE / PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR PERFORMERS

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