The Aberdeen opening night of West End hit Everybody’s Talking About Jamie has been cancelled because pandemic issues and a shortage of HGV drivers means the show can’t get to the Granite City in time.
The curtain will now go up on the award-winning musical – starring Layton Williams and Shane Richie – at His Majesty’s Theatre on Wednesday November 10 instead of Tuesday November 9.
The producers said they struggled with logistical problems due to rescheduling the original tour, postponed after the pandemic closed theatres, and now faced a shortage of HGV drivers to transport the production to Aberdeen.
“It will not be possible to get to Aberdeen from the previous venue in sufficient time to deliver the opening performance,” they said in a statement released with Aberdeen Performing Arts, adding the rest of the HMT run is unaffected.
‘Sorry for inevitable disappointment’
“We have tried everything we can collectively to avoid this, but it wasn’t possible. We are very disappointed and very sorry for the inevitable disappointment and inconvenience this will cause.”
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, which will be in Leeds before coming to Aberdeen, has been one of the biggest West End hits of recent years, scooping eight major theatre awards and being nominated for five Oliver awards.
Based on a true story, it tells of a 16-year-old drag queen from a Sheffield council estate who overcomes prejudice and beats the bullies when he asks a documentary maker to chronicle his life.
It is coming to Aberdeen as part of a UK tour, featuring many of the cast direct from the West End – including Layton Williams and Shane Richie – and will run at HMT until Saturday November 13.
What to do if you have tickets for opening night
People with tickets for the cancelled show have been contacted by email and are being asked to consider going to an alternative performance at HMT, but are also able to ask for a refund or a credit.
Ticket holders can contact the APA box office team either in person at His Majesty’s Theatre or the Music Hall or by phone 01224 641122, Tuesday -Saturday 10am-6pm.