WHEN you wish actors good luck, they want you to tell them: 'Break a leg!"

But for one Newport theatre group two broken bones proved very unlucky. Weeks before their opening performance of musical Guys and Dolls, two of the main characters from youth theatre group We Are What We Are broke an ankle and foot respectively, causing the show, due to be staged at the Dolman Theatre next week, to be cancelled.

Dan Miles, 20, has been a member of the group for five years, and was meant to play Sky Masterson. He said: "I was just in the park when I fell awkwardly and broke my ankle. I’ve had some plates and screws put in.

"I’m devastated. We rehearsed for so many months, and we all put so much effort into it."

Robin Watts, 18, from St Illtyds, was billed to play lead Sarah Brown in the musical. She said: "I broke my foot when I fell off the kerb and twisted my ankle.

"It’s gutting really, because we have all worked so hard towards it. But even if I’m still on my crutches, I’m determined to be in the next show!"

Jay Coleman, director of the group, said: "It was a series of flukes. First I had a phone call from Robin’s mother saying she had broken her foot and wouldn’t be able to perform.

"Two weeks later I had phone call from Dan to say he had snapped his ankle and was in hospital.

"Then our rehearsal hall was cancelled, and we found out our understudy had tonsillitis, so we rescheduled for next year.

"Then we realised half the cast couldn’t do the only dates available, and that’s when we decided to forget it. I’ve never had a show like it in 33 years.

"People have said the show was haunted, and I believe it now!"

The company is putting on an A-Z of musicals, Letters Entertain You, in January instead.

People with tickets for Guys and Dolls can transfer their tickets to the January event free of charge. Contact the Dolman Theatre on 01633 263670.