Dear Zoo Live on Stage has truck stolen ahead of Kent shows in Maidstone and Folkestone
Families with tickets to see Dear Zoo Live on Stage are waiting nervously to hear if shows in Kent will go ahead after the entire staging, props and costumes were stolen.
The touring production's truck and entire contents, worth an estimated £50,000, was stolen in Peterborough early on Saturday morning.
The family show - based on the popular children's book by Rod Campbell - is scheduled to perform at the Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone on May 1 and 2 and at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone on May 22 and 23.
In a message on the Dear Zoo Live facebook page the company posted a picture of the van, which it says is fitted with a tracking device, and confirmed the theft has been reported to police in Cambridgeshire by produce Chris Davis.
Describing the truck theft as something 'to disappoint thousands of children' and using the hashtag #findourzoo the company said it was cancelling shows up until today (Monday).
The statement read: "Anyone with information concerning the stolen truck, whose registration is CA67 NLX, are advised to contact police.
"In the short term with no set we are unable to perform in Bromsgrove tomorrow and Monday and will advise as soon as we have an update on other dates. Please contact the theatre direct for further help."
The Leas Cliff Hall says it has been in touch with the production company and is currently waiting to hear about its performances scheduled for the middle of this week.
In Maidstone, The Hazlitt Theatre, which is run by Parkwood Theatres,, said it has put new ticket sales on hold temporarily until the future of the show can be determined but that staff are keeping fingers tightly crossed that the production company can get itself up and running again so that its shows at the end of the month can go ahead.
Michelle Woodland said: "It's so sad for them. We are holding out hope that people can come here."
To learn more about Dear Zoo Live on Stage visit the website www.dearzooandfriends.com
