Strictly star John Whaite said he was “heartbroken” that the West End production of Cinderella has been axed shortly before he was due to star as Prince Charming.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s theatre group has faced criticism after current and future cast members suggested they only learnt the news when was made public.
The production will close in the West End next month less than a year after its premiere, after suffering several setbacks due to the pandemic.
Actress Carrie Hope Fletcher, who stars as Cinderella, wrote on Twitter : “I don’t think I have the words. And if I did I would probably be advised not to say them. Sending love to all impacted by todays news and by how that news was delivered.”
She also said in a comment that she had received “no official call from the company to let me know before it was posted online”.
Theatre star Summer Strallen said in a long video on Instagram that she had had a wig fitting recently ahead of her taking over the role of The Queen from Rebecca Trehearn, and claimed she had only found out the show was cancelled when a friend sent her an article on Sunday.
She complained about “finding out I’d been sacked via social media”.
Bake Off’s John Whaite, who made it to the Strictly final in December as part of the show’s first all male pairing, said: “This is heartbreaking news. For me because I was due to take the role of Prince Charming in July, but more so for the current cast, band and production team who have battled through Covid to bring a brilliant new show to the stage.
“My heart goes out to each and every one of them.
“I was lucky enough to watch Cinderella in December 2021 and it was one of the most wonderful musicals I’ve seen in a long time. I was so excited to join the cast, it was a lifelong dream come true, but sadly it isn’t to be right now. Who knows what the future will hold - I won’t lose hope.”
In a statement, Lord Lloyd-Webber said he was “incredibly proud” of the show, adding: “Not only did it get some of the best reviews of my career, but we led the charge to reopen the West End, ensuring that theatre and live entertainment remained relevant and in the news.
“While mounting a new show in the midst of Covid has been an unbelievable challenge, we held the government’s feet to the flames throughout their changes of heart during the pandemic.”
Lord Lloyd-Webber’s statement added: “Now, I am really excited to get to work putting together a new production with (production company) No Guarantees for Broadway. Thank you very much to everyone involved, particularly our UK audiences who have loved and supported the show. See you next March on Broadway.
A statement from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s theatre group said: “The timeline being reported online is not correct. The entire company working yesterday were told in person after the matinee performance.
“There was no evening performance so this was not before a show last night.
“At the same time as the company were told, everyone not present was called or emailed by the wider RUG (Really Useful Group) team.
“Every effort was made to ensure that the message was distributed as widely as possibly as quickly as possible but clearly we had to move quickly as news was getting out on social media”.
Deadline reported the cast were told of the closure before going on stage in a message that said: “Some of you will already know, we’ve just informed the creative/production teams, cast, crew and band and a statement will be released to the press and on social media shortly.
“Thank you for your immeasurable contribution to the show. We should all be very proud of Cinderella and all that we have achieved together, and we look forward to our paths crossing again before too long.”
Theatre producer and writer James Graham said in a tweet: “When your show became the face of ‘reopening’. When you are entirely in control of the announcement about it closing, definitely make sure the people employed hear first. Definitely don’t write an article days before you tell them for the trade mag. Definitely call your actors.”
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Last July, Lord Lloyd-Webber said he was determined to open Cinderella in London and had at that stage ignored “siren voices” suggesting he move it to Broadway.
The show opened with an audience capacity of 50% after the impresario rejected Prime Minister Boris Johnson ’s offer for the show to be included in the coronavirus live events pilot scheme.
Then in December, Cinderella was stopped due to “Covid-related absences”, alongside London productions of hit musicals Hamilton and The Lion King.
At the time, Lord Lloyd-Webber said it was “simply heartbreaking” to see the theatre industry “decimated” by Omicron cancellations, adding “no-one in the Government listens”.
He postponed Cinderella until 2022 “to avoid more disruption” as the number of Covid-19 cases increased across the country.
Last year, the composer said of the production’s cast: “The younger cast don’t really realise all the time that we are actually a service industry and nobody has a right to be on the stage.”
Written by The Crown star Emerald Fennell, Cinderella is described as a “complete reinvention” of the classic fairy tale, and is based on an original idea by Fennell.
The show, which is being staged at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, play its final performance on June 12.
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