Brand cancels show after passport problems

BRITISH comedian Russell Brand was forced to cancel his first South African show in Joburg last night, after a technical glitch with his passport meant he couldn’t fly out of the UK.

By late last night, Brand tweeted that the problem had been sorted out, and that he would definitely be on stage tonight for his second Joburg date. He was set to arrive yesterday for the SA leg of his Messiah Complex tour. He will be in Cape Town on Tuesday.

Yesterday afternoon Brand tweeted from his Twitter handle (@ rustyrockets): “Tonight’s Jburg show cancelled. SA authorities REFUSE TO LET ME INTO YOUR COUNTRY. Trying to resolve it. #MessiahComplex.”

Brand was set to perform at the Teatro at Montecasino last night, but local promoter Showtime Management confirmed that the show had been cancelled and that Brand would arrive only today.

Due to high demand, last night’s Joburg show was added later, along with an additional date for Cape Town, at the Artscape Opera on Wednesday.

In a statement yesterday, Showtime’s Tony Feldman said: “There was a technical problem with his passport and the airline did not allow him to board. The promoter has made emergency arrangements to get him to Johannesburg – but unfortunately he will be a day late.”

Brand is on a tight schedule having just performed in Dublin and Belfast this week.

However, Showtime promised that the rest of the South African tour would continue. He is scheduled for the Teatro tonight, tomorrow and Monday.

Worried fans took to social media anyway.

Another tweeter said: “Our country refuses to let you in why am I not surprised… I’m still going to go tomorrow & try meet you.”

Some even compared his denial of entry with that of the Dalai Lama’s.

Meanwhile, Showtime was trying to come up with an alternative for people who bought tickets for last night. “Showtime is working to replace tonight’s show with a performance next week. This will be advised as soon as possible.”