McQueen cancels first week of West End previews

The West End transfer of a new play about designer Alexander McQueen has cancelled its first ten days of previews.

McQueen, which premiered at the St James Theatre earlier this year, was due to begin previews at the Theatre Royal Haymarket last week (13 August 2015), but will now open on 22 August. Press night will remain as scheduled on 27 August.

In a statement, producers blamed a mistimed rehearsal schedule for the delay:

"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."

Written by James Phillips and directed by John Caird, McQueen stars award-winning actor Stephen Wight in the title role alongside Tracy-Ann Oberman, Laura Rees and Carly Bawden as Dahlia, the role was originated at the St James by Glee's Dianna Agron.

For the transfer to the West End, scenes have been rewritten and an interval has been added.

NB: This story has been updated – it initially stated the show will begin previews on 19 August