Dangerous concrete has cost a Dolly Parton tribute act thousands of pounds after her theatre show was cancelled.

Sarah Jayne has been portraying the country music star for 29 years and was due to entertain a crowd of 600 once again tonight at Dartford’s Orchard Theatre.

But a shocking phone call yesterday brought news that Country Superstars, along with all other shows planned for this month, had been scrapped after reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was discovered in the theatre’s ceiling.

“As you can imagine, we were very disappointed,” said Mrs Jayne, originally from Medway.

“Financially, it’s a huge hit,

“We had people coming down from all over the county to help with the show and I had to give them the bad news that the show is being cancelled without pay.

“We’re going to lose thousands, and so will the theatre.”

As well as performing as Dolly Parton, the Ashford resident also produces the show along with her husband - and Kenny Rogers impersonator - Andy Crust.

The married couple’s act is the only tribute show endorsed by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.

Mrs Jayne confirmed that anyone who bought tickets for the show would get refunds.

However, booking company Artists International Management has communicated to Mrs Jayne that because the building materials’ discovery is a ‘force majeure’, the theatre would not be compensating performers who had invested in marketing and planning.

Dartford Borough Council ordered the venue to shut its doors following an inspection on Monday.

Council leader Jeremy Kite said: “It’s not the news that anyone wants to hear but there is nothing more important than the safety of the audiences, staff, artists, volunteers and everyone at the venue.

“This problem was embedded in the building at the time of its construction in 1983 and it is one of thousands of buildings built using this construction method.

“Although any closure is a blow, we are in the fortunate position to have the resources and determination to put the building right and reopen it for the benefit of residents.

“Both Dartford Borough Council and Trafalgar Theatres are committed to making the necessary adaptations required as soon as possible to allow performances to recommence.”

Although Ms Jayne said she and her team were “very sad and disappointed”, she believes the council has made the right call.

“The decisions to close for everybody’s safety is of the upmost importance - we’ve lost so many people over the last few years in Covid, the last thing we need is having a disaster,” added Ms Jayne.

“We’re certainly not angry about the council’s decision.”

The RAAC revelation at the Orchard Theatre in Home Gardens comes after the Department for Education confirmed 156 schools across the country had been built with the problematic concrete.

Trafalgar Entertainment, which operates the theatre, has confirmed performances will be postponed until at least the end of September.

This includes Jimmy Carr, who was due to appear on Friday, an evening with Harry Redknapp on September 24 and Babatunde Aleshe on September 30.

Trafalgar Entertainment boss Helen Enright, said: “Once the time frames become clearer we will update customers as to the status of the future programme and would like to reassure customers that their money is safe.

“We will be contacting existing ticket holders to reschedule performances or to reimburse them.

There is no need for customers to contact the theatre and rest assured that we will be in touch.

“Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we work through the different considerations.”