Stage adaptation of Coraline cancelled after allegations against Neil Gaiman
Stage adaptation of Coraline cancelled after allegations against Neil Gaiman
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Producers say it is ‘impossible to continue’ with musical that was due to be staged at Leeds Playhouse from April. A stage version of Neil Gaiman’s Coraline has been cancelled after allegations of sexual misconduct against the author. The musical was to have been staged at Leeds Playhouse from 11 April to 11 May before touring to Edinburgh, Birmingham and Manchester.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, the co-production partners Leeds Playhouse, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Birmingham Rep and Home Manchester said: “We have decided our production of Coraline – a Musical will not proceed. After careful consideration, we feel it would be impossible to continue in the context of the allegations against its original author. Ticket holders have been contacted directly via email.”.
Published in 2002, Coraline is a children’s fable about an 11-year-old girl who discovers a portal in the wall of her new flat. On the far side are her other mother and father, parents almost identical to her own but with buttons for eyes and evil intent.
The story found a new audience 15 years ago as a stop-motion animation by Henry Selick. The new musical was adapted by the playwright Zinnie Harris and the composer Louis Barabbas, and was to have been directed by Leeds Playhouse’s artistic director, James Brining.
Nine women have accused Gaiman of sexual misconduct. The allegations were first made public last July when Tortoise Media reported on sexual assault allegations against Gaiman by two women. By the end of August, three more women had come forward with allegations.
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