Richard Bean's first new play since One Man, Two Guvnors has been indefinitely postponed by the National theatre "to give the project some more development time".

The Count of Monte Cristo, Bean's family-friendly adaptation of Alexandre Dumas's swashbuckling novel, had been scheduled to run in the National's largest theatre, the Olivier, over the crucial Christmas period. Tickets had been on sale for shows taking place from November until January, with the production set to continue in repertoire into 2013.

However, ticket holders received an email yesterday explaining that the production had been "put back".

The move could prove costly, since early indications pointed to very strong sales. National theatre members had purchased some 6,000 tickets before bookings were opened to the public in April – more than six months prior to its planned start date. Nicholas Hytner, artistic director of the National theatre, is now seeking an alternative production to fill the Christmas slot, which has previously produced War Horse and Coram Boy.

A spokesperson for the theatre said: "Nicholas Hytner and Richard Bean felt that the show would benefit from more development time, and we hope to put it on in future years. We're presently deciding what we'll do in its place."

Timothy Sheader, artistic director of Regent's Park Open Air theatre, was due to make his National theatre directorial debut with the production, for which casting had not yet been finalised.

It is the second time in nine months that the National has shelved a major production, following its postponement of the hotly anticipated musical by Tori Amos, The Light Princess, in October. That production was not on sale at the time the decision was taken.