A theatre group plagued by bad luck every time it has visited Brighton is staying away.

The experiences of The Open Air Shakespeare Company in the seaside city reads like a classic Bard tale and is enough to make the least superstitious mind think the group is cursed.

Few would blame director Robert J Williamson for his decision to leave Brighton well alone following a litany of crises which included:

Storms which destroyed sets and flattened seating arrangements.

A star actress pulling out at the last moment.

Streams of yobs wrecking tender moments.

Unforeseen bills of thousands of pounds for toilet roll and security guards.

Constant arguments with Brighton and Hove City Council.

Mr Williamson, whose company tours the country, was forced to sell his house after the company lost about £250,000 last year, despite many sell-out shows.

He said he loved Brighton but admitted it had brought bad luck during a tough period for the company.

He said: "It's a credit to the work we are doing that we are still going and still getting rave reviews.

"Unless a jumbo jet hits us this year we'll be back with you next summer."

The company's problems began in summer 2003 when it hosted Hamlet and As You Like It in the Royal Pavilion Gardens.

Lead actress Tracy Shaw pulled out because she was too exhausted to learn her lines.

Then the other main star, Emily Lloyd, best known for her starring role in film Wish You Were Here, stuttered over her lines and later admitted she had mental health problems.

Drunks also shouted during performances.

Brighton and Hove City Council reprimanded them for litter and noise, charging them £500-a-night rent for use of the Pavilion gardens and banning a goat from appearing on stage.

No security facilities were provided and Mr Williamson had to fork out £7,000 to hire his own.

Then he was charged to keep the public toilets next to the gardens open at night, racking up £536 in costs for extra toilet roll.

In 2004, at Preston Manor, it rained solidly for three weeks before the company arrived, having a dire effect on advance bookings.

On their opening night a huge storm destroyed their set and flattened their seating and fencing around the venue.

Mr Williamson said: "I do love Brighton so it would be great to come back.

"But let's be honest, you never know what's going to happen next."

The city council was unavailable for comment.