A preview performance of Sir Elton John's Broadway musical Billy Elliot had to be cancelled just minutes before its start after technical problems forced the show to shut down on Tuesday (14Oct08).A faulty elevator used to lift scenery onto the stage was blamed for the cancellation, which left the Imperial Theatre's 1,400 audience members moaning after the news was announced by the play's general manager.The Olivier Award-winning show began previews in New York last month in preparation for its official opening on 13 November.A show spokesperson tells Playbill.com: "The problem is being fixed and tomorrow evening's performance is expected to go ahead as scheduled."Ticketholders have been offered a full refund as a result of the malfunction.

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