THE latest show by the Island Savoyards has had to be postponed due to coronavirus.

The popular group has been rehearsing Kipps — The New Half A Sixpence for several weeks, and were set to perform at Shanklin Theatre from Thursday, April 9, to Sunday, April 12.

Nathan Stubbings, a familiar face on the Island's stages, was set to play the title role.

He told the County Press: "I’m very disappointed, we all are.

"The whole team worked especially hard to make the show a seller, to encourage people to come to the theatre despite coronavirus fears.

"Sadly, the decision had to be made that the show be indefinitely postponed.

"With that said, I certainly don’t think the rehearsals have been time wasted.

"The crew are incredible and it’s been great getting to know everyone, not to mention having some fun singing and dancing."

Kipps was to be Nathan’s last performance with the Island Savoyards for a while, as he has secured himself a place at Trinity Laban Conservatoire in Greenwich, where he will be studying a four-year Bachelor of Music in voice.

Nathan said he was 'immensely proud' to have been chosen to lead an Island Savoyards show and was delighted to be playing opposite his friend and fellow Ryde School student, Abbie Revert in her role as Kipps’ childhood sweetheart, Ann Pornick.

He said: "The Savoyards are an extremely resilient company and will surely be back with another show in no time.

"Unfortunately for me, I am unlikely to be involved, but I’ve had the best three years of my life working with the company until this point so it’s hard to feel totally unhappy."

Many people are familiar with the 1967 film version of Half A Sixpence, starring Tommy Steele, but the new stage production returns to the H.G. Wells semi-autobiographical novel Kipps: The Story of a Simple Soul, to reinvent the musical for the modern era.

Those who have bought tickets will be entitled to a refund.