NY Bloger

Matthew Broderick has been slammed by audiences for his poor performance in previews of his new play.

The actor – a Broadway veteran – is said to have repeatedly fluffed his lines, angering fans who had paid to see the show.

And producers have announced that the production of The Starry Messenger will now open a week later than originally planned.

One theatregoer said: “The theatre, the producers, Kenneth Lonergan [the director] and Broderick should be ashamed to have let an audience in for this.”

Another Broadway fan – who had yet to see the show – wrote on a Broadway website: “For God’s sake, they are charging good money for this, and it is indeed unconscionable to use these as rehearsals. I only hope they do cancel this week of performances because I, too, have a ticket, and I don’t want to endure this either.”

According to the New York Times, Broderick had to ask a prompter for help with his lines 10 times.

A theatre insider told the New York Daily News that Ferris Bueller star Broderick, 47, is “notorious” for studying scripts late.

A source added: “It was an overall mess. He kept apologising under his breath after he forgot a line, and everyone in the audience started to feel awkward.”

A representative for the actor was unavailable for comment.

Director Kenneth Lonergan told the New York Times: “I know it will come together, but my inexperience with the production elements of staging a play has made me nervous.

“Being responsible for the whole thing is a challenge emotionally.”

The play is now set to open on November 23.