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Highland theatre group hopes to stage new show after devastating double whammy


By Val Sweeney

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Inverness Musical Theatre hopes to announce details of a new show soon.
Inverness Musical Theatre hopes to announce details of a new show soon.

An amateur theatre group as been dealt a second blow in the space of a year with the cancellation of a planned production.

Inverness Musical Theatre (IMT) has had to cancel a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat it was hoping to stage in March next year.

The announcement comes a year after it had to cancel its production of Hello Dolly at Eden Court in Inverness because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite the disappointment, the company – whose honorary president is legendary stage and film lyricist Sir Tim Rice – is hoping to announce details of a replacement show in the next few weeks.

Recalling the first disappointment a year ago, IMT chairwoman Morven Reid said the company arrived at Eden Court Theatre on March 16 to set up for Hello Dolly which it had been rehearsing for more than six months.

"Just as preparations were under way for the technical rehearsal, the cast were informed that the theatre was likely to close in the morning," she said.

"It was agreed that we would run a full dress rehearsal and when the show – played to a nearly empty auditorium – finished, we packed up and went home."

Fortunately, as the pandemic was heading towards Scotland and the show week was getting closer, IMT had increased its insurance cover in case the show was called off and in due course received a payout.

Hello Dolly was due to be staged by Inverness Musical Theatre until the corona pandemic struck.
Hello Dolly was due to be staged by Inverness Musical Theatre until the corona pandemic struck.

Following the cancellation of Hello Dolly, the company secured the rights to perform Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat which was particularly special as Sir Tim Rice is the show’s lyricist.

The company booked dates at Eden Court for March 2021 but when it became apparent this was not going to be possible due to the ongoing restrictions, it approached the licence holders for an extension to run it in March next year.

But unfortunately, by the time it was able to finalise dates, this was no longer an option.

Mrs Reid said: "We are very disappointed not to be able to continue with our plans for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

"We believed this would be the perfect post-pandemic show. Energetic, colourful and fun with loads of kids, this show would have had something for the whole company."

The IMT show committee is now focusing on finding a replacement show and hopes to announce the new production in the next few weeks.

IMT secretary Jason Hasson said: "We are working hard behind the scenes to secure the next show.

"We believe we can find an excellent replacement for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and can’t wait to bring our own local brand of musical theatre back to Eden Court."

Related story: Highland group casts Sir Tim Rice in a new role


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