Following a recent water leak, investigations in the backstage area of The Forum have confirmed the presence of asbestos.

It is important to stress at the outset that no traces have been found in air quality tests and there is no evidence to suggest that anyone has been exposed to risk.

However, given this news, we have taken the difficult decision to cancel Friday and Saturday night’s performances of Legally Blonde The Musical in The Forum’s theatre and the theatre will be out of use for the time being.

We fully appreciate that people will be concerned. However, we can assure everyone that the decision to cancel is a ‘belt and braces approach to health and safety responding to the information we have been given by specialist advisors supporting the council.

The next step is for a full survey of the theatre area to be undertaken to understand the extent of the problem and determine a way forward.

Performances scheduled for next week after Legally Blonde will not be going ahead in the theatre and we are contacting producers on possible options for alternative venues. We will update on this just as soon as decisions are made.

Members of our box office team are contacting Legally Blonde ticket holders to make them aware and advise on their options.

The theatre has no further bookings for August after next week. The rest of the Forum, including the café, is unaffected and remains open and available to the public.

Clearly everyone concerned with The Forum feels desperately sorry for all performers, organisers and tickets holders that the shows cannot go ahead as planned, but public safety has to remain our absolute priority.

We, again, would like to thank patrons for their support and the understanding shown during a difficult 24 hours.