Linda Lusardi Cromer show cancelled

A national tour featuring Broadway show songs and former 'page three girl' Linda Lusardi has been cancelled because of poor ticket sales.

The Viva Broadway show was due to roll into Cromer Pier pavilion this weekend - where bookings had been 'very positive'.

But the 20-date national tour has been scrapped in mid run after disappointing turnouts and advance ticket sales.

The show with a cast of singers and dancers offered a 'star spangled celebration of the best musicals' such as Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, Mary Poppins, Carousel and Joseph and his Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Fifty-one-year-old Ms Lusardi, who has also acted in Emmerdale in recent years, was due to star in it alongside husband Sam Kane. She recently told the EDP the show was 'great fun' and that audiences were enjoying it, particularly at Rhyl.

Tour executive producer Geoffrey Hindmarch of Showcase Productions said it was axed half way through its run because of 'very poor' ticket sales. It was a 'sign of the times' as the recession continued to bite and people 'don't seem to be going out so much to these kind of shows.'

Cromer Pier spokesman Bruce Stratton said: "We are very sorry to have lost this great show but when a promoter decides to cancel a tour there is nothing we can do.

'Our ticket sales were very positive and we would have expected to have had a reasonable house on the night. We have already started contacting those who have purchased tickets and will be arranging a full refund.'

There have been some other early season cancellations at the Cromer Pavilion this year - Glam Busta (April 17 and 18), Chip and Chesney Hawkes (April 29) - with refunds also being sent to those who had booked. No replacement shows had been contracted.

Mr Stratton however said that, on a more positive note, bookings for this year's Seaside Special summer show at Cromer were 'very buoyant.'