Hair to close September 4th
#2
Posted: 5/27/10 at 3:25pm
Not a bit surprised, its been struggling like hell since day 1 and this date is the end of the 'Original Broadway Casts' contract anyway!
Wrap it up, get some clothes on and get a decent show into this house.
Wrap it up, get some clothes on and get a decent show into this house.
Updated On: 5/27/10 at 03:25 PM
#3
Posted: 5/27/10 at 3:49pm
I thought they would have atleast held on until October 2nd when the contracts ran out but this is still very sad news, even though it was very much expected.
Also, THIS is what happens when you rule out a lot of your target audience by charging £65 for a show that has the potential to sell very well to young people.
Also, THIS is what happens when you rule out a lot of your target audience by charging £65 for a show that has the potential to sell very well to young people.
Updated On: 5/27/10 at 03:49 PM
#4
Posted: 5/27/10 at 4:21pm
NOT EVERY TICKET COSTS £65. THERE ARE CHEAPER TICKETS.
Admittedly, you're right, it's the fact that no-one pays £65 for a seat that means it's closing, which is exactly what happened with Spring Awakening. But the top price ticket for American Idiot is $250 and that's playing to 75% capacity; I can't imagine that its target audience is paying that much.
For whatever reason, young people cannot keep a show alive in the West End at £25 a ticket. It was hard enough with SA, but Hair with its American cast undoubtedly on American salaries and having their accommodation paid for while they're over here could do a hell of a lot better and still not cover its costs. Plus the ash cloud has completely killed tourist business over the past month or so which can't have helped.
What a terrible day for musical theatre in London, with Paradise Found apparently a total turkey as well. Hey ho.
Admittedly, you're right, it's the fact that no-one pays £65 for a seat that means it's closing, which is exactly what happened with Spring Awakening. But the top price ticket for American Idiot is $250 and that's playing to 75% capacity; I can't imagine that its target audience is paying that much.
For whatever reason, young people cannot keep a show alive in the West End at £25 a ticket. It was hard enough with SA, but Hair with its American cast undoubtedly on American salaries and having their accommodation paid for while they're over here could do a hell of a lot better and still not cover its costs. Plus the ash cloud has completely killed tourist business over the past month or so which can't have helped.
What a terrible day for musical theatre in London, with Paradise Found apparently a total turkey as well. Hey ho.
#5
Posted: 5/27/10 at 4:32pm
Does that mean we can have our Gavin back? Hopefully.
#6
Posted: 5/27/10 at 4:43pm
I think that if they had gone with £40 top price Mon-Thurs then Fri/Sat top price at £60 they would have done better. I mean they sell for £40 at TKTS anyway why not offer that price in advance?
#7
Posted: 5/27/10 at 5:26pm
250 is for premium tickets on Broadway as most people know regular seats hang around 120
#8
Posted: 5/27/10 at 5:41pm
Shame another great American transfer that fails, yet here we are still housing Grease and Mamma Mia
Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna
#10
Posted: 5/27/10 at 6:04pm
yes that pile of crap as well
Im really at the point where i have had it now with the West End, i think i will leave it to the tourists and hen nights.
Im really at the point where i have had it now with the West End, i think i will leave it to the tourists and hen nights.
Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna
#11
Posted: 5/27/10 at 6:07pm
I can't be sorry for this production, I'm afraid.
I have heard several mutterings about Priscilla this week, too.
I have heard several mutterings about Priscilla this week, too.
#12
Posted: 5/27/10 at 7:00pm
It really is a massive shame. I thought we had to get a British cast to replace them once the Broadway cast leave as part of the deal with equity. So won't they have to stay on and get replaced before it can close?
THEATRE 2016:
Grey Gardens; SwkPlayhouse, Cats; London Palladium, Into the Woods; Royal Exchange, Show Boat; Sheffield Crucible, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Prsicilla Queen of the Desert; UK Tour, Narrative; RWCMD, Mojo; RWCMD, The Barber of Seville; WNO, Rabbit Hole; Hampstead, The Marriage of Figaro; WNO, Figaro Gets a Divorce; WNO, Tom: The Musical; UK Tour
Upcoming: Anything Can Happen; RWCMD, Cysgy'n Brys'ur, Long Day's Journey Into Night; Bristol Old Vic, Only the Brave, The Caretaker; The Old Vic, People Places and Things, Blue/Orange; Young Vic, Bernadette Peters, Carole King, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts I & II
#13
Posted: 5/27/10 at 9:07pm
Well I am surprised this is closing so soon, thought it had a good year in the engine yet. I agree with Mark about charging too much, however I liked the show when I saw it in the West End.
I thought Cameroon Mackintosh the theatre marketing genius, missed a great publicity coup, I would of invited a group of naturist along and when everyone gets on stage at the end, get them to go up and strip, of course I would of had the nationals in.
I thought Cameroon Mackintosh the theatre marketing genius, missed a great publicity coup, I would of invited a group of naturist along and when everyone gets on stage at the end, get them to go up and strip, of course I would of had the nationals in.
#14
Posted: 5/28/10 at 4:26am
I was just in New York and every musical I attended had a large share of "young people" - especially N2N and In The Heights. I don't see that so much on the West End. Is it a money issue? There are all those discounts and Rush Seats on Broadway which definitely help. Or is it a cultural thing? Do young and relatively cultivated Brits really not give a s**t about musical theatre?
Faced with these Loreleis, what man can moralize!
#15
Posted: 5/28/10 at 9:01am
Theres lots of shows facing closure at present and as Baz says musical theatre chairs are going on at the moment.
Really Useful are trying to get Sister Act another venue and toying with closing Priscilla/Chicago or even Love Never Dies.
Delfont are wanting to bring in soem shows from Chichester to the Geilgud (hence bye bye Hair) and even the Wyndhams.
A Chichester sell out is waiting in the wings at the Haymarket in preperation of Sweet Charity bowing out early.
Hello Dolly wants a venue but timing on creative and cast side is proving poor
Shrek is in the wings of the Drury Lane but are having cold feet but Oliver! is struggling now to turn a profit.
It seems the next few months are going to be interesting as producers and theatre owners plan in their shows for the busy Autumn season...
Really Useful are trying to get Sister Act another venue and toying with closing Priscilla/Chicago or even Love Never Dies.
Delfont are wanting to bring in soem shows from Chichester to the Geilgud (hence bye bye Hair) and even the Wyndhams.
A Chichester sell out is waiting in the wings at the Haymarket in preperation of Sweet Charity bowing out early.
Hello Dolly wants a venue but timing on creative and cast side is proving poor
Shrek is in the wings of the Drury Lane but are having cold feet but Oliver! is struggling now to turn a profit.
It seems the next few months are going to be interesting as producers and theatre owners plan in their shows for the busy Autumn season...
#16
Posted: 5/28/10 at 9:35am
I wonder if the Volcanic Ash had an effect on the West End, some of the more popular shows could survive having an off week but it could kill new and smaller shows.
I think Love Never Dies will continue for at least another year but I could see Oliver! closing, it's had a fantastic run and probably made a profit but it's expensive to run.
I think Love Never Dies will continue for at least another year but I could see Oliver! closing, it's had a fantastic run and probably made a profit but it's expensive to run.
#17
Posted: 5/28/10 at 9:54am
I think the Shrek producers are wise to be getting cold feet. Unless they secure some star casting.
Which is the Chichester sell out waiting for Charity? I cant think of one?
Which is the Chichester sell out waiting for Charity? I cant think of one?
#18
Posted: 5/28/10 at 9:59am
AnythingGoes, I thought Priscilla was one of the top-selling shows in town - I think Oliver is the other one doing well? Is this not true? Chicago may never be full but it doesn't exactly cost much to run, hence why it's such a long-runner, would be surprised if they closed it.
#19
Posted: 5/28/10 at 10:07am
They cant be the best selling based on tkts, offers etc
#20
Posted: 5/28/10 at 10:40am
I have to say Hair closing is another kick in the teeth.
The West End is a joke, its clogged up with such rubbish at the moment that i rarely venture down anymore. Not only are we incapable of writing new musicals but whenever we get new material (Spring Awakeing, Drowsy) or revivals or original material (Hair) send from NY we shun them.
The West End is a joke, its clogged up with such rubbish at the moment that i rarely venture down anymore. Not only are we incapable of writing new musicals but whenever we get new material (Spring Awakeing, Drowsy) or revivals or original material (Hair) send from NY we shun them.
Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna
#21
Posted: 5/28/10 at 12:54pm
Fact: Priscilla has the lowest number of offers out there amongst the big shows. They are there of course but not like they are for Sister Act Lion KIng etc
Updated On: 5/28/10 at 12:54 PM
#24
Posted: 5/28/10 at 4:25pm
I think this is terrible news...I hope to see the show in August. any chance of the closing date being brought forward (Isn't that what they did with Spring?)
I can't believe i'm saying this but...time for Les Mis to get out the way?
I can't believe i'm saying this but...time for Les Mis to get out the way?
#25
Posted: 5/28/10 at 4:28pm
It'll run to Sept 4th, just.
Cameron isnt paying rent to himself for the theatre so ths one good thing.
You ain't the only one saying **** *** to 'Les Miz'
Cameron isnt paying rent to himself for the theatre so ths one good thing.
You ain't the only one saying **** *** to 'Les Miz'
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