Hurricane Irene’s impact on Broadway has begun as all Saturday and Sunday performances are cancelled.

Yesterday the Broadway League announced the closure as the East Coast braced for the storm. New York is shutting down its public transport system from midday today and has ordered the evacuation of about a quarter-million residents.

“The safety and security of theatre-goers and employees is everyone’s primary concern,” Paul Libin, Chairman of The Broadway League.

The League, which represents the Broadway theatre industry, noted that refund procedures are in place for ticket-holders, with Telecharge and Ticketmaster prepared to generate automatic refunds.