Adam Thomas pantomime ‘cancelled at the last minute after actors walk out over wage dispute’
The production of Jack and the Beanstalk has been beset with problems with actress Denise Welch pulling out weeks ago after not being paid
HUNDREDS of fans have been left out in the cold after the pantomime starring former Emmerdale actor Adam Thomas has was cancelled on its last day.
The production of Jack and the Beanstalk was due to come to an end today with two final performances but a notice posted on the door at the Times Square Pantomime venue confirmed it had ended.
The notice blamed the cancellation on the venue’s heating system, but furious fans hit out at the show for only making the news available on the door of the building and not on social media.
One fan blasted: “What a shambles, hundreds of people outside upset that @timessqpanto has been cancelled.
“Haven’t even got the decency to announce it on their twitter page. No wonder @realdenisewelch left.”
Another said: “Absolutely shocking service from @timessqpanto, turn up to the panto with a sign on the door to say that it’s cancelled! What an absolute joke no email no phone call nothing!!”
Absolutely shocking service from , turn up to the panto with a sign on the door to say that it’s cancelled! What an absolute joke no email no phone call nothing!!
Shock claims from allege the actors threatened to walk out of the show if they weren’t paid what was owed to them.
And just ahead of the penultimate performance at 2pm, the show was cancelled.
It comes just weeks after actress Denise Welch quit the role of Mother Nature because she wasn’t paid and was concerned by “chaotic” rehearsals.
The former Loose Woman left the production today after a series of problems backstage including cast and crew not receiving wages on time, “chaotic rehearsals” and sets not being finished on time, insiders claim.
The source says: “It was a total shambles backstage – the panto wasn’t ready to open when it was due to this Monday, so the first two days of shows were cancelled.
“Sets weren’t finished, a technical rehearsal set for last Friday couldn’t go ahead because the production was running so behind.
“Another rehearsal was a total disaster, and then cast weren’t being paid on time or at all. At one point, an Equity rep had to be called in to mediate.
“A few days into panto rehearsals, Denise and other cast started getting concerned as it wasn’t very professional at all because no-one seemed to know what they were doing.”
The insider adds: “Some of the crew had never even worked backstage before.”
In a statement Denise tells The Sun Online: “I am so terribly upset and hugely disappointed that I will no longer be appearing in the Times Square Pantomime in Newcastle.
“Those who know me and have supported me during my 40 year career will know how passionate I am about my job, Newcastle and its people.
“All I ever wanted was to star in a fabulous, spectacular pantomime that I have been proudly publicising since February.
“If there was anything I could do to change this highly regrettable situation I would.
“Legally, I can say no more but I write this with a heavy heart.”
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