Tainui Kuru plays Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever. Photo / Supplied
Theatre-goers were left stunned when Saturday Night Fever's sole Auckland show was cancelled mid-performance tonight.
A man at Aotea Theatre, who did not want to be named, told the Herald the sound system failed, leaving around 1600 fans out of luck.
The bad news was delivered after an intermission took place to try to fix the problem.
"The performers came back on, took a bow and waved goodbye ... it's really sad for the promoter because they don't set out to do this."
Ticket holders were initially annoyed, but then understanding, the man said.
Some had told him they had travelled from as far away as Whangarei and Tauranga to attend the show.
In a statement late tonight producer Ben McDonald said the show was cancelled because of technical issues.
"Sound issues presented and unfortunately, after intermission, the cast's microphones suffered a complete failure from which they couldn't be recovered.
"Some 40 minutes later, cast and crew determined they could not continue tonight's show."
The issue had been resolved and the tour would continue to other theatres as planned, he said.
The next show is at ASB Arena in Tauranga tomorrow night.
Theatre-goer Tania Greig told the Herald the music was okay, but the actors' voices were inaudible.
After the intermission and then another break, the cast came onto the stage to say the show could not continue.
"Good on them for doing that."
But she took aim at those behind the show, which she paid $112 per ticket for seats in the stalls. Theatre-goers were told they would be contacted about a refund.
"We've been looking forward to it for such a long time. It's expensive, people dressed up, getting into the city isn't easy, getting parking isn't easy.
"Whoever the sounds guys are, did they not do a check?"
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