The UK tour of new biblical-themed musical Heaven On Earth has been cancelled just a few weeks before the show was due to open at Birmingham’s Barclaycard Arena.
Written by Sara Jeffs and directed and choreographed by Racky Plews, the musical re-telling of the story of Adam and Eve was due to feature West End favourites Kerry Ellis and Hugh Maynard and the voice of Russell Watson in a production that was supposed to tour arenas across the UK until May next year.
Company members who were already preparing for the lavish production which was to have created an on-stage Garden of Eden with special effects involving fire, water and animatronics, were reportedly informed by emails from producers Eden International Productions that the tour had collapsed due to lack of funds.
An initial email from Eden International Productions referred to “significant financial difficulties due to promised funding not materialising” and stated that no rehearsals were to go ahead “unless otherwise stated in writing”.
A later email from Eden’s Andrew Burt reported that investment funds had been delayed and as a result the company, which was incorporated in 2015, would be “shortly placed into liquidation” and cease trading.
As the news broke company members took to Twitter to express their disappointment with fellow performers and backstage staff all expressing their sympathy for cast and crew who were informed by email that “no wage payments were being” made this week.
Actor Tom Brandon posted : “Our show #heavenonearth has been cancelled, after 9 weeks of rehearsals. We’re owed thousands of pounds. This abuse of actors needs to stop IMMEDIATELY. Shame on you Eden International. Truly heartbroken.”
While Kerry Ellis re-tweeted a message from Joe McElderry which read: “So sad for my friends at Heaven On Earth show! Sending you all love! This happens far too often.”
Angela Thomas
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