West End HAIR to close in September?

[sundayclothes2]

Posted: 5/27/10 at 4:01pm

Just heard from a friend associated with the production that they will be closing in September.

Anybody heard anything about this?

ETA: Just saw somebody posted a thread about this on the West End board as well...
Updated On: 5/27/10 at 04:01 PM

[Princeton2]

Posted: 5/27/10 at 4:03pm

yep that would be me, and i heard it from a reliable source. Its also been tweeted by a few people, including Gina Beck who is playing Christine in London Phantom and she is a huge fan of the show and I wouldnt expect to post pure gossip

[massofmen]

Posted: 5/27/10 at 4:24pm

they aren't selling any tix.

[Marquise]

Posted: 5/27/10 at 4:28pm

Yep. I heard that one too. From a friend of a friend who is second cousin to the guy who is married to the mother in law of the girl who scrapes the gum off the theater seats after each and every performance. Don't you just LOVE getting the "inside" scoop?

[slmlbl]

Posted: 5/27/10 at 4:34pm

how long is the cast contracted for? let's bring em back to the b'way production should this come to pass.

[Amanda15]

Posted: 5/27/10 at 4:53pm

Eh I hope not. Other than Gavin and a couple of the tribe members, I find the current cast much more youthful and engaging. Although the cluster**** the swings made of the show on Tuesday and Wednesday lead me to think the original production had more DEPTH in the roster. Mileages may vary and all...


Besides, I'd almost bet money both productions are going to close on the same day and the focus will turn to the national tour.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/27/10 at 4:57pm

Gina Beck's tweet in question:
Ah sad news a reliable source has confirmed hair is closing September 4th same day as phantom cast change weirdly
about 2 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®

https://twitter.com/Redscarf/status/14852654560

[DeNada]

Posted: 5/27/10 at 4:59pm

Let's put it this way... Hair in London is due to close Saturday September 4th, as I understand it.

Labor Day this year is September 6th. When do shows which are doing bad business over the summer traditionally close?

I'd expect Hair Broadway to close on the 5th. With grosses like the ones currently being reported it can't be long for this world.

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Posted: 5/27/10 at 6:36pm

The US company's contacts are up Oct 2nd.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/27/10 at 6:49pm

Their contracts don't mean diddly. If they close, they will do it at their convenience.

As I understand it, the cast only needs to be paid for two weeks once the closing notice happens. They can announce mid August for an early Sept closing and reap the benenfit of all the "for one last timers".

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Posted: 5/27/10 at 6:52pm

Nobody said they meant anything, they just asked when they were up! Oct 2nd!

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 5/27/10 at 7:01pm

[Felm_heart]

Posted: 5/27/10 at 7:11pm

Can Gavin come on tour... please?

[broadwayworldreader]

Posted: 5/27/10 at 10:07pm

How do we know for sure that they are closing together? Did one of the producers announce that?

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 5/27/10 at 10:58pm

^ we don't..people are just speculating

[mallardo]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 4:00am

Hard to believe. I saw it on a Tuesday night just recently and it was pretty full. And the audience response was huge.

[sgv123]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 7:45am

This was posted on twitter:

HairUkNews: Unfortunately Hair will end its run at the Gielgud Theatre on September 4th. Please continue to show your amazing support.

[BroadwayGuy12]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 10:40am

It's official.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/139909-West-End-Edition-of-Broadways-Hair-to-Shutter-Sept-4

[mallardo]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 11:25am

Despite the rumors surrounding various shows, I can't think of a single musical currently on Broadway that could make a successful transfer to the West End right now.

[massofmen]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 11:57am

rock of ages. :) We will rock you worked there, is still working there. It will run for years there.

[mallardo]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 11:59am

You're right, I overlooked ROA. Still, it's the only one.

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 12:10pm

I wonder if "Shrek the Musical" will play at the Gielgud Theatre.
Updated On: 5/28/10 at 12:10 PM

[Justin D]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 3:22pm

I assume that's not a serious post

[mallardo]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 3:26pm

Check the London board. There are several theatre professionals who post there and it's being reported that the Shrek producers are having "cold feet" about the transfer.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 3:49pm

Yes Shrek may not happen now, the producers look to be getting cold feet and believe it may not do as well. It cant have helped that the new film has not done as well as expected.

And im writing an article about Hair's closing at the moment for What's on Stage. As a brit im stunned at how horrid the West End is for musicals, all jukebox, based on films etc, its like creativity has died here. I think with Hair closing, Drowsy and Spring both dying a death here that Broadway should not send their great shows over here until the West End can sort itself out because it's heartbreaking seeing so many great shows die yet rubbish like All the Fun of the Fair, Thriller Live and Dreamboats and Petticoats continue to clog up our theatres.