Women Say Something has been given the boot leaving around 400 attendees in limbo.

THE Mardi Gras Event that many people travel far and wide to has been cancelled two weeks before the event took place. Early yesterday morning, ticket holders received emails from organisers stating that the Women Say Something’s Cirque de Femme event would not go ahead. The event was to be held on Friday, February 27.

The Women Say Something team have expressed “much regret and disappointment” for pulling what was considered a popular event. The refund of tickets is expected to total around $40,000.

This year, Cirque de Femme was set to be “unlike any other Women Say Something”, boasting a promising lineup, according to  Along with previously announced speakers Magda Szubanski, Rev Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Professor Kerryn Phelps, and Denise Hanlon, organisers also secured ARIA award-winning singer/songwriter Sarah Blasko, international cricketer Alex Blackwell and Sexy Galexy (unmasked).

The critical issue is said to be due to an unsuitable venue. As the name Cirque suggests, most circus productions are set up in a tent. However, organisers rely on “bricks and mortar” for their set-up. The venue was Fairground Follies in St Peters, featuring old fun fair rides and mechanical museum pieces.

It is thought that funds and the fact that Mardi Gras has been in a financial deficit for the past several years were a huge factor for this event not going ahead.

There is a little light at the end of the tunnel, with ticket holders gaining the opportunity to use their Women Say Something tickets to attend the Mardi Gras Party, Harbour Party or Sideshow at no further cost. (This is the alternative to a full refund.)