The ambitious new performance which depicts local creation story of the Wollondilly River and the Wombeyan Caves was set to open this Friday night.

It had already been performed at three schools including Laggan Public, and North Goulburn Schools. 

Lieder artistic director Chrisjohn Hancock announced the cancellation via Facebook last night. 

“The Lieder Theatre Company in partnership with Pejar Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) has regretfully decided to cancel the current production of Garungatch and Mirringan due to their being a shortage of available Aboriginal cast and crew for the production,” he wrote.

“The Lieder Theatre Company was under the understanding that it could respectfully proceed.

“However, upon review of the production and further consultation with Pejar LALC, NSW Aboriginal Land Council and Aboriginal elders of our community, it has been decided at this time that additional Aboriginal community involvement and participation is needed.

“The Lieder acknowledges that further engagement of Aboriginal community members was extensively sought. Members of the local Aboriginal community have been actively engaged from the beginning workshop and rehearsal process and throughout the production.

“We wish jointly to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to members of our community, our school community and our Aboriginal community, and the cast and crew involved.”

Lieder president Jennifer Lamb described the school performances as “very successful.” 

“We are very upset. We gave it our all,” Ms Lamb said. “It was an important reconciliation project.”

The show was due to run from Friday until Sunday.