Tristan Gemmill and Michelle Collins’ new play ‘The Birthday Party’ has been axed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The two ‘Coronation Street’ alumni – who played Robert Preston and Stella Price during their respective stints on the ITV soap, but didn’t cross over as co-stars – will due to tread the boards together on tour this year in the latest production of Harold Pinter’s 1957 dark comedy.
However, due to the pandemic that has broken out across the UK, the production has been postponed.
Tristan posted on Twitter: "Sad to have to say that our tour of The Birthday Party has now been cancelled. Tough decision for the management to have to take and we are all absolutely gutted but they didn’t really have a choice. FYI rehearsals were going bloody well. Stay safe everyone."
Michelle – who also played starred in BBC One soap ‘EastEnders’ as Cindy Beale – retweeted Tristan’s post with the comment: "Loved working with you x"
The performances were to have been directed by Everyman Theatre creative director Paul Milton, with ‘Children of the Sun’ actor Paul Hickey also part of the cast.
The dates are set to be rescheduled once the spread of coronavirus – also known as COVID-19 – has been stopped.
Pinter’s classic play – which has been described as a comedy of menace – is set in a boarding house, following a group of characters arriving on a birthday as sinister events unfold.
Tristan Gemmill’s The Birthday Party postponed
