PERFORMANCES of a stage version of Rod Campbell’s popular book Dear Zoo at Bromsgrove’s Artrix had to be cancelled after the production’s truck containing all of the show’s set, props and costumes was stolen.
The three sold-out performances were due to take place on Sunday and Monday but in the early hours of Saturday morning the truck and its contents, estimated to be worth more than £50,000, were stolen.
The theft left the production’s producer Chris Davis and the cast devastated and without the stolen items the show could not go on.
The vehicle, which has the registration number CA67 NLX, was taken from Peterborough following performances at the city’s Key Theatre on Thursday and Friday.
It was fitted with a GPS tracker which has indicated it may now be in Grantham, Lincolnshire.
The team behind the show have been frantically trying to track the van down but so far the search has proved fruitless.
Dear Zoo – Live! had been created to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the publication of the book which had brought joy to children and parents alike.
It centres on a child asking to be sent a pet but none of them are suitable until the end.
Bosses at Artrix said: “We fully appreciate that this will be disappointing news for ticket holders and their families, however we have been promised that the Dear Zoo show will be rebuilt, and the tour will be booked back into the Artrix schedule later this year.”
They added tickets purchased at the show will be valid for the rescheduled dates.
Ticket holders will be contacted via email or phone within the next few days, to let them know what to do next.
“Please do bear with us, and we will get back to you as quickly as we possibly can.
“We hope you will join us in sending best wishes to the Dear Zoo team, as they rebuild the show and get back on the road very soon,” added the spokesperson.
Anyone with any information on the van’s whereabouts should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
