The West End transfer of McQueen has been delayed after several days of previews were cancelled due to the company requiring a “longer technical rehearsal period”.
Producers of the St James Theatre hit, which had been due to start its run on 12 August, released a statement explaining the show’s delay in making it to the West End stage, saying: “With all the changes that were being made to the production for the transfer to the Theatre Royal Haymarket, we needed a longer technical rehearsal period than we’d originally allowed in the schedule and, in order to be totally ready to present the production in front of an audience, we took the difficult decision to cancel the first few previews.”
McQueen made its world premiere at the St James Theatre earlier this year starring Stephen Wight, who will reprise his role for its West End outing, as the late fashion designer Alexander McQueen.
Taking inspiration from McQueen’s visionary imagination, James Phillips’ play tells the story of Dahlia, a mysterious girl who watches over the designer from a tree outside his house. After 11 nights, she decides to break in and steal one of his magnificent creations, but is caught in the act by the designer. Instead of reporting her to the police, he takes her on a journey through the whirlwind of his life.
The Theatre Royal Haymarket run will see Wight joined by original cast members Tracy-Ann Oberman and Laura Rees, as well as newcomer Carly Bawden, who takes over the role of Dahlia first played by Glee’s Dianna Agron.
Performances for McQueen are now scheduled to begin on 22 August.