Ugly Cinderella row as fans demand refund after star misses show
‘The understudy was good but even more of a kick in the teeth that you decided to do the evening show’
THE star of Lord Lloyd-webber’s new West End musical has pleaded with fans to stop berating actors for taking days off and demanding refunds.
Carrie Hope Fletcher, who is playing Cinderella at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in Drury Lane, was sent messages by audience members complaining that she had pulled out of a performance.
One said theatre-goers deserved a refund on the basis that her understudy had played the role instead. Fletcher urged ticket-holders to be polite. “I get that it’s disappointing not seeing the actors you had hoped to see, but please don’t message those actors to say how much they’ve disappointed you?” she wrote to her half a million Twitter followers.
“Or ask them for a refund? Whilst tagging the person you did watch in your complaint? Just… not cool. Don’t be that person.”
The actress, who has built up a loyal following of fans on her Youtube channel, wrote on social media earlier that day: “Slight scheduling change at Cinders today and I will now only be performing in this evening’s show. This afternoon you will be watching the marvellous Georgina Onuorah!!!”
She said “something rotten has wiped me out” and told one disappointed follower: “Can’t schedule not being well I’m afraid.”
Yesterday, Fletcher appeared to be responding to a message which read: “Should get a percentage refund, considering I took my wife to the matinee for her birthday specifically to see you perform.
“The understudy was good but even more of a kick in the teeth that you decided to do the evening show.” Fletcher replied directly with a copy of the booking terms and conditions, telling him: “You booked to see Cinderella. And you got to see Cinderella.”
The theatre community rallied round on Twitter, decrying those who did not want to see talented understudies stepping up to perform. Layton Williams, who plays the title role in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, echoed the sentiment, saying: “If ever I’m off the show (trust me) it’s for good reason! So I’ll probably be more gutted than you.”
The Cinderella website gives dates of the performances Fletcher has booked off for holidays, in an attempt to prevent fans booking specifically to see her and being disappointed.
It adds: “No refunds or exchanges will be offered as a result of any artist’s unavailability to perform at any performance.” The heated exchange of views is part of the latest debate over etiquette in the social media era, which has transformed the theatre-going experience with mobile phone photographs and mini-reviews published online before official press nights.
A spokesman for the production said: “We sometimes adapt the schedule to ensure the wellbeing of company members which is what happened on Saturday, and we’re incredibly proud of the performances of each and every one of our cast.”