Sleeping Beauty on Ice cancelled

A shipping error has forced the cancellation of all 13 South Island shows of Sleeping Beauty on Ice.

The Imperial Ice Stars show’s opening was set down for June 11 in Dunedin. After five shows there, it was then to travel to Christchurch for eight shows from June 16 to 21.

However, due to a ship being unable to dock in Colombia and pick up the show’s gear, the production’s gear will be delivered two weeks late.

Containers carrying the set, staging, ice rink, sound and light equipment reached Cartagena, Colombia on May 12, from London.

The second leg of the journey was to start on May 14, with the set scheduled to arrive into Auckland on June 2.

However, a statement released by organisers on Friday said because of ‘‘congestion at Cartagena’’ the ship that was supposed to pick up the containers could not stop as planned.

The Isaac Theatre Royal was due to be transformed into an ice rink for the 18 Imperial Ice Stars, as was the Octagon’s Regent Theatre in Dunedin.

Imperial Ice Stars co-producer James Cundall said ‘‘we are all gutted that we have been let down by the shipping company’’.

‘‘We have wanted to bring shows to the South Island for a long time now, returning to Christchurch after the earthquakes and bringing our show to Dunedin for the first time,’’ he said.

‘‘To be thwarted by logistics that are beyond our control is both devastating and really frustrating.’’

Cundall said in the 10 years the ice shows had been touring across five continents it had never happened before.

‘‘It goes without saying that we will be seeking a full explanation from the shipping company,’’ Cundall said.

The containers were now scheduled to leave Cartagena to arrive into Auckland on June 17. Cundall said they were ‘‘greatly relieved’’ to be able to perform the shows in Auckland and Wellington.

‘‘We apologise profusely to all who were looking forward to seeing us in Dunedin and Christchurch, and will of course be refunding all ticket sales. We will do our best to bring The Imperial Ice Stars to the South Island as soon as we can reschedule a season,’’ he said.