Just another sign of the times - Blood Brothers closing.

[theatrepaul]

I think its a shame that a way couldn't have been found to keep Blood Brothers going through to its 25th anniversary but hopefully something special can be done to mark that anniversary, perhaps a one off concert featuring some of the previous cast members

[Princeton Returns]

But would Kenwright have actually celebrated it? He has never seemed bothered about it before

[theatrepaul]

He should do, its served him incredibly well all these years

[Phantom of London]

Princeton, valid point, but theatrepaul you are dead right.

I thought ATG would let Blood Brothers stay until 21st November, its 21st Birthday, very shabby and underhanded of ATG, they are beginning to show there true colours

[theatrepaul]

Phantom, yes ATG have not behaved well.

It's more than 21 years. This current run opened at the then Albery Theatre sometime in 1988 before moving to the Phoenix in 1991 so its now been 24 years.

[Jonwo]

Apart from the cast album in 1995 and the international cast album with Petula Clark, Blood Brothers hasn't had the anniversary treatment that Les Mis and Phantom have had with special concerts etc.

[Princeton Returns]

I'm not sure it would work as well in concert form. Maybe as they are closing they could film it and release it on DVD for its 25th.

ATG are a business, I don't see anything really wrong in what they have done.

[Jonwo]

I doubt they'd film it as it'll continue on tour and that would hurt business, maybe a new cast recording?

[CATSNYrevival]

Didn't they already film it and show it on television in the 80s? They just never released it on DVD.

[AnythingGoes23]

How are ATG in the wrong here? Why would they keep the show on for its 24th year anniversary, what do they get out of it.

Its BKL. He has spend no money on the show over the years. The sets are run down and no marketing has been spent to celebrate success or even generally promote it. Its been running on a shoe string for too long. Love the show, but its good its closing so the Pheonix can have a long needed clean up and Blood Brothers can (hopefully) be refreshed.

[Jonwo]

Compared to Les and Phantom which are continually refreshed, Blood Brothers seemed tired. A long runner can be seen as when it opened if it maintained and refreshed over the years.

[Princeton Returns]

The Commitments to the Phoenix?

[CATSNYrevival]

How has Phantom been "refreshed?" I know Les Miz has moved theatres a few times and they just implemented the new orchestrations, but I don't recall anything as drastic being done to Phantom.

[DeNada]

Phantom had a new digital sound design installed a few years back, I think? It certainly sounds pretty fresh these days.

[Nickhutson]

Yes - POTO was the first show to ever have Dolby Surround sound installed (for the Phantom's voice travelling around the theatre) and it wasn't updated until a couple of years ago. I am sure it sounds wonderful - but as it won't make the dull score any better, I won't ever be returning :)

I saw BB for the first time ever last night, and whilst I enjoyed my �10 stalls row D centre seats, and the piece itself (even though it's a far better play than a musical) I do wish Kenwright had updated the orchestrations to actually include real SOUNDING instruments - as opposed to 1980s synthorama. However, I am sure that's one of the show's charms?

And if they have been updated - Lord know what they were like prior!

I would like to hope a full symphonic concert production is in order!

[Phantom of London]

I would hazard a guess that the people who will see the last performance of Blood Brothers will fall into two categories that they either love theatre or love Blood Brothers and only want to be there as it will be both memorable and historic and hopefully a great atmosphere to be at the last performance.

I was going to go the the last performance, but now I have decided not to go.

I looked at lastminute.com for a ticket and although doubtful I would get a ticket for �10, it would be nice if I could, but in the end the website was only offering tickets for the 16:00 performances.

Then looked at the official Blood Brothers site and noticed that for the final performance the tickets that should of been �59:50 have been PUSHED up to a eye watering �75:00.

I have heard a lot of negative things said on here about Bill Kenright and resisted contributing as I have had no good reason to, but if Bill has pushed tickets up to �75:00 so he could make more money on the final performance, with all the millions he has made from fans over the years and using the final performance as one glorious final payday makes him an absolute scum.

[Princeton Returns]

Absolute scum?

Oh please, he is a business man, its good business sense.

Anyway, ive just followed the booking link from his website and they are usual price and on ATG its the usual price so not sure where you got the �75 one from

[theatrepaul]

Phantom, have you checked other sites for deals. I got last night stall tickets for �50 per ticket via www.londontheatredirect.com

[theatrepaul]

Apparantly the show is no longer closing at the end of October having been extended by 2 weeks?

Whilst am happy to be seeing the show again, can't deny I'm pretty hacked off that I've spent good money on tickets especially to go to the final night only to now find out it isn't the last show

[theatrepaul]

Apparantly the show is no longer closing at the end of October having been extended by 2 weeks?

Whilst am looking forward to seeing the show again, can't deny that I'm really hacked off that I've spent alot of money especially to go to the last night only to find it's now not the last night.

[rosscoe(au)]

Worst show ever, god I hated every single thing about this show...how it last 24 years is way beyond me... Hated it hated it hated it!

[CATSNYrevival]

^You can't exchange your tickets, Paul?

[turquoisefish]

@theatrepaul where have you heard about an extension? Kenwright.com's booking service only goes until 17th October.
I have booked for the original night too and will be a bit miffed if it has been extended

[theatrepaul]

27th October was the original close date.

I saw it mentioned on other threads on here and other theatre websites. Also, ATG website now has tickets available now until 10 November which is the new close date

Happily, I spoke to the ticket agent who I booked my tickets through and they were extrenely helpful and have I managed to exchange them for the new closing night.

[turquoisefish]

I can't make the 10th of November (seeing Father Christmas with my Beaver Scouts!) and doubt lastminute.com would change it anyway so 27th October will be my last time. Glad you got your ticket changed

[theatrepaul]

For anyone who like me purchased tickets to the final performance of Blood Brothers before they changed the closing date, I had this email today from Bill Kenweight Ltd

"I am so sorry about the mix up with the dates for the final show; I can only assure you that the information about the final performance was issued in good faith and was correct at the time of going to print, however, due to popular demand and theatre availability, we were invited to extend by two weeks.

We would be more than happy to transfer your tickets over to the final performance on the 10th of November. This process will need to start at the box office who will be happy to help you. They can be reached via email [e-mail] or phone: [phone].

They may firstly instruct you to contact the ticket agency you purchased the tickets from if they were not purchased via the box office."

Hope it helps