Marvellous, a play at the New Vic Theatre, was cut short by Covid-19

Due to a coronavirus epidemic, a stage show based on the story of a former Stoke City kit man has been cancelled.

Marvellous, a film adapted from the Bafta-winning programme, tells the story of former mascot Neil “Nello” Baldwin.

The New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme announced that it had “no choice” but to cancel the play’s remaining performances.

It apologised to ticket holders and assured them that the box office would contact them.

This isn’t the first time COVID-19 has had an impact on productivity.

Last month, New Vic Artistic Director Theresa Heskins, who developed the play with Mr. Baldwin, claimed the epidemic had caused three delays in bringing it to the stage.

Despite having a “strong understudy strategy,” the theatre stated on Wednesday that performances scheduled through Friday night had to be cancelled.

It issued a second statement on Thursday, claiming that “after exhausting all options,” it had no choice but to cancel the remaining Saturday concerts.

Unfortunately, following government and NHS guidelines, bringing this magnificent musical to the stage for the last two performances has been impossible, “it stated.

“We’d want to express our gratitude to everyone who has helped us with Marvellous. It’s been an honour to tell this narrative. ”

Mr. Baldwin, who has learning disabilities, worked in the Staffordshire Potteries as a young man.

But in the 1980s, when a circus arrived in town, he signed up as “Nello the Clown,” a moniker that stayed.

He was a lifetime supporter of Stoke City FC, and he struck up a friendship with then-manager Lou Macari, who hired him as the club’s kit man and mascot.

In 2015, Marvellous took home three Baftas, including best single drama, as well as awards from the Royal Television Society, Broadcasting Press Guild, and Monte Carlo Television Festival.