Young theatre performers in Glasgow faced a heartbreaking situation when their scheduled shows of Matilda Jr at the SEC were abruptly cancelled due to a licensing error. The performing arts academy, GAMTA, had obtained rights for the show in venues with a capacity under 400, but the SEC’s Lomond Suite exceeded this limit with 497 seats. Consequently, the rights holders, believed to be Music Theatre International Europe, revoked the license, leaving the young actors devastated.

The production, a one-hour adaptation of the popular musical based on Roald Dahl’s book, was set to run for a week with two groups of children performing on different days. The unexpected cancellation midway through the run led to emotional outbursts from the young cast members and disappointment among parents who had supported their children’s involvement in the show.

One parent, Caroline Hendoe, expressed her daughter Scarlett’s deep disappointment at only being able to perform once before the cancellation. She emphasized the immense effort and dedication the children had put into rehearsals over the past three months, making the sudden cancellation particularly disheartening. Caroline believed that the rights holders should have considered the emotional impact on the children before revoking the license, stressing that the young performers deserved a more compassionate resolution.

Following the backlash from parents on social media, GAMTA founder Shaaron Graham issued an apology, acknowledging the academy’s mistake and expressing regret over the situation. She assured that efforts were being made to find a solution to compensate the affected children. GAMTA, known for nurturing young talent from ages as young as five, offers various programs including a BA honours degree in musical theatre for older students. Despite the setback, Graham commended both casts of Matilda Jr for their exceptional performances and urged understanding from the parents involved in the media campaign.

Music Theatre International Europe, responsible for licensing thousands of shows annually, including Matilda Jr, enforces strict venue capacity regulations, prohibiting performances in venues exceeding 400 people. The licensing organization was approached for comment on the matter.

The incident not only highlighted the importance of meticulous planning and adherence to licensing agreements in the theatre industry but also underscored the emotional toll such cancellations can have on young performers. The episode serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of young talents in the performing arts and the need for a compassionate approach in handling unforeseen circumstances to safeguard their passion and dedication to the craft.