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Belinda Hanks, Manchester Online
Drama over Glastonbury play cancellation
A LICENSING mix-up has left hundreds of music fans disappointed after the cancellation of the play Glastonbury at Whitworth Park. The stage version of the festival, written by Manchester's Zoe Lewis, has Brit-art's Damien Hirst on board as set designer, Fat Les frontman Keith Allen doubling up as actor and director and had recruited New Order to provide musical interludes live at the show's Whitworth Park tour dates.
A LICENSING mix-up has left hundreds of music fans disappointed after the cancellation of the play Glastonbury at Whitworth Park.
The stage version of the festival, written by Manchester's Zoe Lewis, has Brit-art's Damien Hirst on board as set designer, Fat Les frontman Keith Allen doubling up as actor and director and had recruited New Order to provide musical interludes live at the show's Whitworth Park tour dates.
Disappointed ticket holders have been told the show will not go ahead at that venue although organisers say they are doing everything they can to find an alternative space.
Mr Clive Darnell, 34, from central Manchester was one of those who paid for tickets. He told ManchesterOnline: "The ticket agency changed the dates and didn't let me know. Now they've cancelled those dates as well.
"I've had to pay postage and the booking fee. Plus, we had two friends travelling from London and two from Hull to go and see it. It's completely messed up the weekend."
Licence
Manchester City Council has confirmed it was unable to grant a licence for Glastonbury from October 22-26, and said the play's organisers had incorrectly applied for the wrong one.
A city council spokeswoman explained: "They (the organisers) applied for a stage play licence, but need a public entertainment licence."
She added: "The Council is still negotiating to see if we can provide them with a suitable venue and licence and that's still in progress."
She did confirm, however, that it would not be at Whitworth Park, because it is now unavailable and booked up: "We are hoping we can stage it somewhere else."
Writer Zoe Lewis declined to comment on the licence fiasco, but promised the show would go ahead on the rescheduled dates (October 22-26) and the venue will be confirmed ASAP.
Ticket agent Wayahead has now told Mr Darnell he will get a refund.
Anyone with tickets for Glastonbury can return them to Wayahead for a refund at Wayahead box office, The Hollows, St James's Street, Nottingham, NG1 6FJ, phone 08712 200 260 or visit the website below.
The stage version of the festival, written by Manchester's Zoe Lewis, has Brit-art's Damien Hirst on board as set designer, Fat Les frontman Keith Allen doubling up as actor and director and had recruited New Order to provide musical interludes live at the show's Whitworth Park tour dates.
Disappointed ticket holders have been told the show will not go ahead at that venue although organisers say they are doing everything they can to find an alternative space.
Mr Clive Darnell, 34, from central Manchester was one of those who paid for tickets. He told ManchesterOnline: "The ticket agency changed the dates and didn't let me know. Now they've cancelled those dates as well.
"I've had to pay postage and the booking fee. Plus, we had two friends travelling from London and two from Hull to go and see it. It's completely messed up the weekend."
Licence
Manchester City Council has confirmed it was unable to grant a licence for Glastonbury from October 22-26, and said the play's organisers had incorrectly applied for the wrong one.
A city council spokeswoman explained: "They (the organisers) applied for a stage play licence, but need a public entertainment licence."
She added: "The Council is still negotiating to see if we can provide them with a suitable venue and licence and that's still in progress."
She did confirm, however, that it would not be at Whitworth Park, because it is now unavailable and booked up: "We are hoping we can stage it somewhere else."
Writer Zoe Lewis declined to comment on the licence fiasco, but promised the show would go ahead on the rescheduled dates (October 22-26) and the venue will be confirmed ASAP.
Ticket agent Wayahead has now told Mr Darnell he will get a refund.
Anyone with tickets for Glastonbury can return them to Wayahead for a refund at Wayahead box office, The Hollows, St James's Street, Nottingham, NG1 6FJ, phone 08712 200 260 or visit the website below.
Read the full article on Belinda Hanks, Manchester Online ↗
Summary by NewOrderOnline. Full article remains with the original publisher.
