Cast illnesses force Rent to perform concert version of show

The sold-out production of Jonathan Larson's Rent at the St James Theatre will today play as a concert after five members of the cast and the musical supervisor were taken ill.

The show, which had to cancel a performance last night, will today go ahead as a concert production.

In a statement given to The Stage, producers said: "Sadly, four people, including one of the leads, his understudy and the musical supervisor had combinations of gastroenteritis and ‎flu, which meant we were unable to go ahead with last night's performance.

"We are very sorry that we had to cancel the performance, particularly as the season at St James Theatre is sold out… However, we offered the audience refunds and the production will be going back out on tour in February, including to places close to London such as Bromley, Woking and Tunbridge Wells."

A performance of Matilda was also cancelled last night as all of the children playing the titular role were taken ill.

Rent runs at the St James Theatre until 29 January, before continuing on a UK tour.

Watch our video from the opening night below