05/09/2026
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT REGARDING THE NARCISSIST
It is with enormous disappointment that The Birmingham Black Box Theatre Group announces the postponement of The Narcissist, scheduled to run at The Blue Orange Theatre from 10–12 September.
Three weeks before opening, our lead actor withdrew from the production after accepting another professional engagement. As this is the second postponement of The Narcissist by the same actor, we know this news will be particularly disappointing to those audience members who supported us the first time and transferred their tickets to the September performances.
We are deeply sorry.
Following a meeting with the cast, the decision to postpone was unanimous. With only three weeks remaining before opening, bringing a new actor into the lead role of Dena — an emotionally demanding and substantial role — would not allow sufficient time for that actor to prepare, rehearse with the company, and deliver the standard of production that you, our audience, deserves. We would rather postpone than present work that does not reflect the extraordinary commitment of this cast or do justice to this important story.
We want to make something else absolutely clear: our cast did not walk away from this production. They have worked incredibly hard, remained committed, and responded to an extremely difficult situation with professionalism, generosity and integrity. We could not be more grateful to them.
We are equally grateful to The Blue Orange Theatre, who have been extraordinarily supportive throughout this situation and have done everything possible to help us find a way forward.
Most importantly, we thank our audience — particularly those of you who purchased tickets for the original dates and stayed with us when the production was first postponed. We know that asking for your understanding again is a great deal to ask, and we do not take your support for granted.
The Narcissist is a story we still believe passionately deserves to be told. The cast believes that too.
So this is a postponement, not an abandonment.
When The Narcissist returns, it will return when we can give the story, our cast and our audience the production they deserve.
Thank you for standing with us.
The Birmingham Black Box Theatre Group
Bold Theatre. Fearless Stories.