Madonna UK stage debut hits hitch

Madonna's West End debut has sparked frenzy among theatre-goers

LONDON, England -- Audiences will have to wait a little longer to see Madonna's London stage debut after technical problems delayed the pop diva's first steps onto the capital's boards.

The American musical icon was set to star in the West End in Australian playwright David Williamson's hit play "Up for Grabs," about an ambitious art dealer, on May 9.

But the three previews to the show -- which run before regular audiences but before critics are allowed in to scrutinize the performance -- have been postponed, producers told CNN on Monday.

A spokeswoman for the producers said: "Everybody in the cast has been very accommodating.

"The production has developed into a complex synchronicity between moving set, sound, music and projection and realising it in an older-style theatre has increased necessary technical time."

The Wyndham theatre's box office in the West End has been overwhelmed by enquiries after the paid-for previews were cancelled.

Tabloid newspaper speculation has so far centred on the alleged prima donna behaviour of the world's most famous female pop star.

Madonna was said to have demanded a raised stage to stop fans rushing her, staff were told not to make eye contact with her and cast members were firmly told not to use her nickname in Britain, "Madge."

But the press reports were dismissed by her spokeswoman as "absolute rubbish" while the producers said the star "has been utterly charming in rehearsals."

"Everyone is very relaxed and she is mucking in like a trouper," they added.

The run of previews that was due to begin on May 9 is being pushed back to May 13, but the opening night will go ahead as planned on May 23.

Madonna last appeared on the stage in 1988 when she played a secretary on Broadway in American playwright David Mamet's satire on Hollywood, "Speed the Plow."