Fans of ailing Jones assured show goes on

ABU DHABI // Tom Jones is still scheduled to perform in Abu Dhabi next month despite a case of acute laryngitis that forced him off the stage in Singapore on Friday. "He will still be in Abu Dhabi on April 16," said John Lickrish, the head of Flash, which is promoting the Abu Dhabi concert. The 69-year-old Welsh singer managed only two songs at the newly opened Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore before admitting defeat and leaving the stage, the Straits Times reported.

Jones's performance in Manila today has been cancelled. Ticket holders for both events are being offered refunds or entry to rescheduled shows. "Tom has been diagnosed by a specialist with acute laryngitis and has been ordered complete vocal rest," said Jones's website. Acute laryngitis, the inflammation of the larynx, results in hoarseness of the voice. Recovery can take a week to 10 days. The concert in the capital will be the first held at the 5,000-seat Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, and will be Jones's first performance here. It is also the first time that Flash has attempted an indoor concert.

"He is still scheduled, the show goes on," said Mike Fairburn, the marketing director at Flash. "The show is going on." Seats, priced from Dh365 (US$99) to Dh895 were "selling well", he added. @Email:asafdar@thenational.ae