Coronation Street's Shobna Gulati 'knocked unconscious' by falling stage scenery

Ex-Coronation Street actress Shobna Gulati was knocked unconscious by falling scenery during a performance at Shakespeare’s Globe theatre in London last week, it has emerged.

According to the Evening Standard, Gulati, who is appearing in a production of Richard II, was ‘left motionless’ after being struck by a piece of scenery that fell from the ceiling.

The performance was halted by the play’s lead and co-director Adoja Andon, and staff onstage asked if there was a doctor in the audience before an ambulance arrived to treat the actress.

Read more: The Archers is branded ‘sexist’

A member of the audience, Ruth Pope, told the Standard: “I just heard this loud bang and there was the actor lying on the stage motionless.

“It was about five or ten minutes after the interval and suddenly there was this tremendous bang.

“There was a lot going on on the stage. It was only when we heard this bang that we realised she seemed to have been knocked out.

“Nobody moved. Then [Andoh] playing Richard II came out, she took control. It was pretty shocking. She certainly didn’t seem conscious when we left the theatre.”

Another member of the audience added: “A piece of the set fell out of the ceiling. It hit her smack on top of the head. We thought it was fake at first.”

A spokeswoman for theatre said: “Shobna Gulati was injured during a performance of Richard II on 28 March, but is recovering well at home. An investigation is under way. Shobna hopes to return to the role this week.”

Read more: Geri denies ‘hurtful’ Mel B claims

The play, which is being staged in the candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse theatre, part of the Globe, has been a hit with critics, and is set to run until April 22.

Gulati, 52, is known for playing Sunita Alahan in Coronation Street from 2001 to 2006, and also for playing Anita in Victoria Wood’s Dinnerladies.

She also played Yasmin’s mum in the last series of Doctor Who.