There was some unexpected drama off stage at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle on Tuesday evening, when the opening night performance of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was cancelled, just half an hour before it was due to start.
Having earned rave reviews across the country, the lavish and enchanting stage adaptation of CS Lewis’ famous story is set to be a huge half term hit in Newcastle city centre, having been promoted with an eye-catching display inside Eldon Square and on trains and at many Metro stations, thanks to posters on either side of escalators.
The stage was set for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to launch at the Theatre Royal with a 7pm performance, however, with around half an hour to go, an email landed informing those with tickets that it wouldn’t go ahead, as reasons for the sudden cancellation were given.
The apology read: “We are very sorry to advise that due to company illness and technical issues, this evening’s performance of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is cancelled. We understand that this is disappointing and we sincerely apologise or any inconvenience caused.”
It continued: “We have looked at every possible option to make the show happen as planned, however we have had to make the difficult decision that it is not possible to go ahead. We never taken the decision to cancel a performance lightly and will only do so in exceptional circumstances when all potential options have been explored.”
There are set to be two performances of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe today, Wednesday February 26, at 2pm and 7pm, two on February 27, one on Friday and 2.30 and 7pm performances on Saturday, as the show ends its run on Tyneside.
And the good news is that, the Theatre Royal have now given assurances that all the remaining performances this week are set to go ahead as planned.
Earlier this week, the Theatre Royal revealed that hit ABBA musical Mamma Mia will be back in town next year, 28 years after its much raved about debut in the West End.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/theatre-royal-lion-witch-wardrobe-31085320
