Yahoo Lifestyle Neil Gaiman: UK Stage Production Of ‘Coraline’ Canceled After Sexual Misconduct Allegations
A UK stage version of Neil Gaiman’s Coraline has been canceled following allegations of sexual misconduct against the Good Omens author.
The musical production was preparing to embark on a UK tour that would take in the Leeds Playhouse, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Birmingham Rep, and HOME in Manchester.
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In a statement, organizers said they would not continue with the adaptation, citing the claims against Gaiman from a total of nine women. Gaiman has denied sexual misconduct.
“We have decided our production of Coraline – A Musical will not proceed. After careful consideration, we feel it would be impossible to continue in the context of the allegations against its original author. Ticket holders have been contacted directly via email,” the statement said.
The allegations against Gaiman include nonconsensual BDSM. The claims were first published in a Tortoise podcast, titled Master: The Allegations Against Neil Gaiman. New York magazine carried further allegations earlier this month.
In a post on his website, Gaiman said he had “never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone.” He continued: “Some of the horrible stories now being told simply never happened, while others have been so distorted from what actually took place that they bear no relationship to reality. I am prepared to take responsibility for any missteps I made. I’m not willing to turn my back on the truth, and I can’t accept being described as someone I am not, and cannot and will not admit to doing things I didn’t do.”
Gaiman’s denial did not stop Dark Horse Comics from dropping the author and canceling his Anansi Boys comic series. Good Omens, the Amazon Prime Video drama series based on the book Gaiman co-wrote with Terry Pratchett, will end with one 90-minute episode instead of a full third season.
Coraline tells the story of an 11-year-old girl who moves into a new home and discovers an entrance to a parallel world in which all is not as it seems and everyone has buttons for eyes. The story was adapted into a 2009 Henry Selick film starring Dakota Fanning.
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