Curtain falls on show

Karoline Tuckey | 15th December 2009

Harlequin Theatre's Christmas production of The Owl and the Pussy Cat has been cancelled as the show was not up to standard.

Theatre president Graeme Burnard said it is the only Harlequin production in the past 20 years to be cancelled, and ticket pre-sales had been strong.

He would not discuss specific reasons but said "it really was just a number of things that happened that meant that we couldn't provide the standard of theatre that we expect".

The decision was not taken lightly, he said.

"We have a high reputation. We are an award-winning theatre."

Director Barbara Knight said: "It just couldn't go on the way things were.

"We made the decision after the dress rehearsal.

"It was not up to the standard that I was prepared to put my name to and the committee agreed."

Production members were very disappointed, she said.

The play was to start last Thursday, with eight shows running until this Friday, but had been beset with difficulties since planning.

Cast could not be found for Dad's Army, the play originally chosen, or for second choice Faulty Towers, Mrs Knight said.

The Owl and the Pussy Cat has a cast of two. Written by Bill Manhoff, it follows the developing relationship between Doris, a prostitute who is being evicted, and Sherman, a neighbour who reluctantly puts her up.

Mrs Knight said the long working week meant casting was becoming increasingly difficult for amateur theatre, especially of men.

"We do not have a 40-hour week now, so all the guys are working flat out and their spare time is spent with their families, or doing overtime.

"Saturdays used to be about spare time. It hasn't done the theatre any favours."

Mrs Knight said most tickets had been pre-sold, and the theatre was working with patrons to arrange refunds. A committee member has waited at the theatre at the time of each performance to let people know the show was cancelled, and hand out information about claiming refunds, she said.

"We wanted to face them and say we're very sorry. People have been very understanding."

Casting is finalised and rehearsals start at the end of January for Harlequin Theatre's March show The Prime of Miss Jean Brody, based on the novel by Muriel Spark.

"That's going to be a cracker," Mrs Knight said.