David Tennant and Cush Jumbo’s Macbeth was canceled for three consecutive nights, with the latter announced just two hours before the curtain call.
The Shakespeare play, which is being shown at the Harold Pinter Theater in London’s West End, had to close its doors due to ‘industrial illness’.
Fans have shared their anger at the last-minute announcement about the cancellations, with many sharing how far they had traveled to see the play.
Ticket holders said they wished the cast a speedy recovery but wanted the announcement earlier in the day before spending money on travel and food.
The Harold Pinter X account announced on November 1 that the evening performance of the show would not go ahead.
The next three days of shows were also canceled, as the social media account apologized and thanked ticket holders for their understanding.
The message read: ‘Unfortunately due to industrial illness the performance of Macbeth has been canceled this evening.
David Tennant and Cush Jumbo’s Macbeth was canceled for three consecutive nights, with the last announced just two hours before the curtain call.
The Harold Pinter X account announced on November 1 that the evening performance of the shows would not take place
Many said they wished the cast a speedy recovery, but wished they had made the announcement earlier in the day before spending money on travel and food.
‘Your ticket provider will contact you in the coming days about your tickets. We are very sorry and thank you for your understanding.’
One person reported that fans were recently warned just two hours earlier, saying: ‘Meanwhile in London, UK, the entire company (including Macbeth’s David Tennant is sick and forced to cancel four consecutive performances just hours before their curtain call).’
Others shared their anger under an Instagram announcement, writing: ‘I’m all for the actors taking care of themselves, but canceling 1.5 hours in advance is a bit rude’; ‘We came to the gig tonight from Lyon. Too bad they didn’t announce the cancellation a little earlier in the day…
‘Now we’ve just wasted time and money on an empty evening in London… Maybe we should have seen something else’; “Lots of sympathy for those who are ill, but the lack of notice is astonishingly poor. If, as we were told, the theater knew there would be no show at 4pm tonight, why did it take until almost 6pm to let us know?
‘We had spent the day before paying for the train tickets and dinner checking that everything was in order. Who’s going to pay us back! The complete lack of concern for the public is unbelievable. The fantastic staff sent out are having a grim time as always. Who the hell made the decision not to cancel straight away this morning?
“The terrible PR you have generated from such a late cancellation is enormous compared to a cancellation this morning.”
Another said: ‘I’m very disappointed with the way this has been handled. My friend and I had tickets for tonight. Knowing that previous shows had been canceled, we had been checking all morning to see if there had been a cancellation.
‘Since there was nothing left, we had to travel to London this afternoon. We paid for train tickets and had dinner near the theater. The cancellation was announced at 5:45 p.m. That’s so late. Very disrespectful and inconsiderate to ticket holders who wasted time and money traveling to London.
Fans have shared their anger at the last-minute announcement about the cancellations, with many stating how far they had traveled to see the play
‘A decision should have been made earlier in the day. I don’t blame the cast at all, illness cannot be helped and I hope everyone recovers quickly. However, I am quite disgusted with the way the theater handled this situation. It’s disrespectful and rude.”
Others shared their annoyance at the cancellation on ‘Hello, I received a text from AGT stating that the Saturday matinee has been cancelled. Can you confirm this? We are traveling from Somerset for the performance. Thank you’;
‘Why have your ticket agents used this as an excuse to increase ticket prices for the future remaining shows?’; “Hi guys, I’m sorry I’m in front of the theater and it’s mostly canceled. I wish everyone a speedy recovery and good health.”
Another said angrily: ‘Maybe if you just answered one of the many people asking here and on Instagram about tonight’s gig, your phone lines wouldn’t be clogged with callers trying to find out. I’ve been on hold for 50 minutes now.’
‘Booked a babysitter. Hotel booked. Booked restaurant. Play canceled with four hours to go’; ‘Assume that the text message received from ATG that tomorrow’s performances are canceled is genuine. So that I don’t leave early tomorrow to go to London, can you confirm?’;
‘Can you please provide more information! Move? Refunds? When will it be back? You cannot cancel via text message and then not follow up!’; ‘@AGT really? How about replying to all the people who ask or updating the information instead of sending this tripe?’
A spokesperson for the theater said: All customers booked for canceled performances have received correspondence stating that they will be contacted by their point of sale regarding options for their booking. This process is already underway.”
The next three days of shows were also canceled as the social media account apologized and thanked ticket holders for their understanding (photo Cush Jumbo)
Others shared their anger under an Instagram announcement
David and Cush performed William Shakespeare’s play at the Donmar Warehouse in Covent Garden earlier this year before moving to Harold Pinter.
The adaptation is directed by Donmar Associate Director Max Webster, also known for Life Of Pi and Henry V.
Cush previously appeared in Hamlet at the Young Vic a few years ago – after what former New York Times theater critic Ben Brantley described as exuding “that unquantifiable force of hunger, drive and talent commonly called star power.”
In somber and dramatic animation, David and Cush stunned audiences with a sensational performance – as the show continues throughout the winter season.
Speaking about their role in Macbeth last year, David told The Guardian: ‘I thought I knew this play very well and that, unlike any other Shakespeare I can remember, it was simple.
“But every time I come to a scene, it goes in a direction I didn’t expect. It has such muscle power, it floats along. Plot-wise, it’s more obvious than any Shakespearean play I’ve done.’
Cush added, “She is deeply rooted in our culture. Everyone thinks they know who she is. Most people studied the play at school. I did – I hated it. It was so boring, but that’s because Shakespeare’s plays aren’t meant to be read, they’re meant to be performed.
‘People think they know Lady Macbeth as a type: the strong, controlling woman who pushed him to do this. She does things women shouldn’t do. The biggest misconception is that we no longer see Lady Macbeth as a human being.’