Shocking Cancellation: ‘Coraline’ Musical Axed Amidst Disturbing Allegations Against Neil Gaiman!

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The planned stage adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s 2002 children’s novel, titled “Coraline — A Musical,” has been called off due to the recent accusations of sexual misconduct against the author. According to Variety, this decision was made by the production partners behind the canceled musical. The musical was initially slated to run at Leeds Playhouse in England from April to May of this year, followed by performances in Edinburgh, Birmingham, and Manchester. In a joint statement released by Leeds Playhouse, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Birmingham Rep, and Home Manchester, the organizations announced, “We have decided not to go forward with our production of ‘Coraline – A Musical’.

The production partners for “Coraline – A Musical,” which include Leeds Playhouse, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Birmingham Rep, and HOME, Manchester, have made a decision not to move forward with the show. After thorough deliberation, they believe it is inappropriate to continue due to allegations against the original author’s conduct. Ticket holders were informed directly through email.

In the aftermath of the serious accusations, I find myself grappling with the fact that several projects associated with Neil Gaiman have been terminated. For instance, the third season of the critically-acclaimed Amazon Prime Video series “Good Omens,” which he co-authored with Terry Pratchett, was abruptly transformed into a single, 90-minute series finale, without any direct involvement from Gaiman, who served as showrunner and penned the entire first season. Additionally, Disney decided to abandon its adaptation of “The Graveyard Book,” another children’s horror novel, which was slated for direction by Marc Forster (known for “Finding Neverland” and “World War Z”). Furthermore, in the realm of comics, where Gaiman made his initial mark with “The Sandman,” Dark Horse Comics removed him from their list of writers and canceled the “Anansi Boys” series, based on his 2005 novel.

The ‘Coraline’ Cancelation Comes Following Accusations From Several Women

Back in 2009, the captivating tale of “Coraline” was brought to life as a stop-motion animated masterpiece by Henry Selick, who also directed the iconic “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast featuring Dakota Fanning, Terri Hatcher, John Hodgeman, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Keith David, and Ian McShane.

Initial accusations against Neil Gaiman emerged in July 2024, when Tortoise Media launched its six-part podcast series called “Master: The Accusations Against Neil Gaiman“. Five women publicly shared their experiences of being sexually abused by the author. Additionally, more women have since spoken out in a comprehensive article titled “There Is No Safe Word” published by Vulture in January of this year.

The narratives share a troubling pattern. Typically, the females were significantly younger than Gaiman, and they were already admirers of his work before their encounters. In every situation, it was Gaiman who initiated sexual activity, which escalated into violent and brutal behavior. However, Gaiman has refuted all allegations, stating that while he did engage in relationships with the women, he never participated in non-consentual acts of a sexual nature.

Should you or someone close to you experience sexual abuse, reach out to the nationwide help line at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or explore additional resources available at rainn.org.

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2025-01-30 17:06