A number of shows have been affected by interstate lockdowns

The stage production - based on the Emmy award-winning children's television program of the same name - was scheduled to perform three shows on August 13 and 14. It comes after COVID-19 outbreaks in NSW, Victoria and Queensland and border closures left the national tour unable to perform in Tasmania.

Bluey's Big Play has already been rescheduled twice in 18 months due to COVID-19, and the lockdowns meant that rescheduling for a third time was not feasible.

Theatre North program manager Stuart Loone said while the cancellation of the shows was disappointing, it was inevitable given the nature of touring.

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"Because it's a national tour, they have got to get dates across multiple venues all aligning because touring's quite an expensive business," he said.

"So with the current uncertainty it was not possible to reschedule and the show had to be cancelled."

Theatre North's August program has seen a number of changes due to border closures with Eric Bogle Live, Circa's Peepshow, Human Nature and The Travelling Wilburys Sessions also being postponed.

Northern Tasmanian produced shows; Shrek The Musical and The Spongebob Musical will go ahead as planned in addition to Hannah Gadsby's Body of Work.

"All our local shows are going really well and Hannah Gadsby is going ahead and we're thrilled about that," he said.

"But I do encourage people to keep checking the website to keep up to date- a week is a long time in the theatre world at the moment."

The cancellation of Bluey's Big Play has had a flow-on effect for the staff at the theatre, with nearly 70 shifts being cancelled as a result.

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"We have about 45 casuals on the books and they rely on people hiring the theatre, and without that, there is no work," Loone said.

"We are one of Northern Tasmania's largest arts employers so for the sake of artists, production teams and casual staff, we really hope that this doesn't go on for a second longer than it has to."

"Last year we shut down and this year it's more complicated cause we've got things on and then postponed, so we appreciate everyone's patience."

Loone said while the upcoming Bluey shows were cancelled, it was hoped the show will return at a later date.

"We are talking with the promoters about the possibility of future shows," he said.

"And we will make sure that people who booked for this show will be notified about the next shows first."

Anyone who had tickets for Bluey's Big Play will be emailed details about how to receive a refund.

Ticketholders should check junk or spam folders.

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