On Friday, the company responded to inquiries from this masthead that the cancellation might be related to the real-life events lampooned in the play.

“[It was] nothing to do with the current political state of affairs in the United States or the recent assassination attempt against the former US president,” it said.

Since then, it has emerged that a member of the cast was injured on set.

A Queensland Theatre spokesperson told this masthead the decision was based on factors including “one actor unable to perform due to injury … one actor unable to perform for personal reasons … [and the fact that] choreographers/movement directors were not available last minute to work at length with new cast members to the timeframe”.

“After considerable deliberation, [the board] unanimously determined that there were too many uncertainties to fulfil their duty of care and for the company to deliver a successful and safe season.”

The spokesperson confirmed QT would pay all contracts in full.

An authority on Brisbane’s cultural sector, speaking anonymously, said it was extraordinary that the QT board preferred to lose six figures in revenue than take the usual steps to get a troubled show on stage.

“Actors can always be replaced … Aside from COVID, I can’t think of any other major theatre production in 30 years, anywhere in Australia, that has been cancelled on the eve of its opening,” they said. “It’s a crisis.”

The play’s director, Lee Lewis, was QT’s artistic director until March and is yet to be replaced.

Lewis declined to comment.

The boards of major arts organisations are in the spotlight as Queensland Ballet’s new artistic director, Leanne Benjamin, also departed last week after just five months in the role.

POTUS ticket holders have been contacted and offered refunds.