A promoter of a recent Tom Jones concert in the UK has hit out at a local theatre after “thousands of pounds” of duplicate tickets were printed ahead of the event.
The singer performed at Beacon Park in Lichfield, West Midlands on June 12. However, Lee O’Hanlon, whose tinyCOW company hosted the event, admitted he was “very disappointed” by the ticketing arrangements put in place by the city’s Garrick Theatre, fearing that some could have ended up on the black market.
“I have seen examples of duplicated tickets from the show,” O'Hanlon told the Lichfield Mercury newspaper. “Some printed on Garrick ticket stock and some that the theatre printed on tinyCOW ticket stock.
“The duplicated tickets don't match each other in terms of layout font and content but nonetheless do match on booking number, block, row and seat printed.”
According to O'Hanlon, as many as 66 duplicated orders were printed, with some people turning up at the venue with three copies of the same ticket.
He added to the newspaper that although he had asked to see the duplicated tickets, he was only informed by the theatre that they had been destroyed.
Moreover, he has claimed that the day before the show, the online seating plan indicated that the show was sold out even though there were still tickets available.
With the dispute having escalated, O’Hanlon told the newspaper that he has been banned from the theatre.
“I hoped the Garrick would provide a professional and efficient service,” O'Hanlon said. “We did not receive that and we won't use them ever again.”
The theatre disregarded the criticism by stating in response: “We were delighted that Lichfield District Council suggested that we work with tinyCOW in providing box office services to the tinyCOW event as we felt that bringing a high-quality, world-renowned performer to Lichfield was an event which would benefit both music lovers and businesses in the town.
“The concert by Sir Tom Jones wowed his audience and we have received many positive comments on this consummate performer.”
Share this