A THEATRE in Altrincham has explained the reason a performance was cancelled a matter of minutes after it started.

Altrincham Garrick Playhouse cut short the opening night of Present Laughter, a play by Noel Coward, on Monday.

A woman from Urmston who was in attendance at the show, and who wishes to remain anonymous, said the lead actor left the stage after 10 to 15 minutes.

She said: "We got about 10 to 15 minutes into the performance and something strange happened.

"The man said 'I can't do this, I can't carry on', then he left the stage.

"The lady who was acting with him didn't know what was happening."

According to the woman, the audience was asked to wait in the bar of the theatre. There, it was soon announced the show was cancelled.

Altrincham Garrick Playhouse has since explained the lead actor was 'poorly'.

Performances on Tuesday and Wednesday are also cancelled while the actor recovers, but those on Thursday, Friday and Saturday are still on at the time of writing.

People with tickets to the shows on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are advised to call the theatre's box office on 0161 928 1677 or email boxoffice@altrinchamgarrick.co.uk.