UK and Ireland tour of Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird cancelled

To Kill A Mockingbird will not be coming to Birmingham's Rep Theatre – after the UK tour has been cancelled following an exclusivity claim by the producers of a Broadway version.

The UK tour – set to visit locations including Birmingham, Newcastle and Aberdeen – was announced in July.

It was due to be performed at Birmingham's Rep Theatre between February 25 and June 2.

However in a statement, Jonathan Church Productions, Curve Theatre, Leicester and Regent’s Park Theatre said they were contacted by lawyers acting on behalf of Atticus Limited Liability Company, formed by  Scott Rudin, the producer of the Broadway play.

They said the group claimed worldwide exclusivity in the professional stage rights to To Kill A Mockingbird.

The statement added the UK tour had “acted in good faith at all times”, but would face legal proceedings if it was not cancelled with immediate effect.

Organisers are “deeply saddened” at having to cancel the tour, the statement said, and apologised to those who had bought tickets as well as “those currently working to recreate the show which had been in rehearsals until today”.

It added: “We are truly sorry for the inconvenience this cancellation will cause and ask that ticket holders contact their original sales point to arrange full refunds.”

The Broadway version of To Kill A Mockingbird was adapted for the stage by Aaron Sorkin and opened in New York in December.

It is based on Harper Lee’s 1960 novel. US actor Gregory Peck starred as lawyer Atticus Finch in the 1962 film adaption.

A spokesman for Birmingham's Rep Theatre said: "This statement conflicts with the licence issued by Dramatic Publishing Company.

"It also seems to be at odds with the fact that many professional productions of the Sergel adaptation have been staged in the UK previously under what are understood to be similar licences from Dramatic Publishing Company, including those produced by the Touring Consortium Theatre Company in 2011, Royal Exchange, Manchester in 2013, Regent’s Park Theatre in 2013 and Octagon Theatre, Bolton in 2016.

"It appears there may be a difference of opinion as to exactly what rights were originally conferred to Dramatic Publishing Company in 1969 by the Harper Lee Estate.

"Nevertheless, despite those involved in the UK tour having acted in good faith at all times, Atticus Limited Liability Company made it clear that they would commence legal proceedings against the tour’s producer, originating theatre and all venues where it was due to be presented if the tour were not cancelled with immediate effect.

"Atticus Limited Liability Company were unwilling to consider any compromises which were proposed to resolve the situation without lengthy and costly legal action.

"Jonathan Church Productions, Curve and Regent’s Park Theatre are deeply saddened to have been forced into the position of disappointing audiences across the UK and Ireland.

"We would like to thank all those who have already purchased tickets, and those currently working to recreate the show which had been in rehearsals until today."

Ticket-holders are urged to contact their original sales point to arrange full refunds.