This was mentioned that it was struggling in another thread but if true, then it's the end for what has been a fantastic run. Looks like the Garrick will be free for a new show.
I admire how well they coordinated their closing announcement and made sure the cast knew before anybody, to avoid any confusion or speculation - that's the way to do it. And congratulations on a wonderfully long run!
I loathe the show, i saw it a couple months back at the Garrick, it was painful, but saying that it has given other people great entertainment for 15 years and must of made a ton of money from the Adelphi, which is a massive theatre and a cheap production to run.
I expected this to play the Garrick for years to come as I thought that was the purpose of downsizing to a lot smaller 'intimate' theatre, why would numbers drop drastically between the Cambidge and Garrick. Also the Garrick has great footfall for tourists passing and the marquee does look rather splendid, especially at night time when it is lit up red.
I wonder if the Garrick will now get the Broadway transfer of the very enjoyable 'A Streetcar Named Desire', however I did hear it was to go into the Wyndham, but that depends on how well Abigail's Party is doing, will Torchwood Trilogy transfer, if it does it will need a smaller theatre?
The garrick has less seats, if you can't sell them at full price (which they appear not to have done) and have to discount you end up with a theatre with fewer seats selling them for less money therefore making less money.
I was very surprised to hear the news about the closing of the West Ed Chicago. Here in the States, we are fortunate to read the weekly grosses for Broadway shows. We pretty much know which shows are successful and which are struggling. On Broadway, "Chicago" usually grosses in the 50's (percentage wise) of possible grosses. It struggles in the winter months. Yet, it has survived many lean times. My heart goes out to all who grew to love the West End Chicago. from RC in Austin, Texas USA
I've been a long time time Chicago fan and that's due to the band. Seeing so many casts through the years, both good/bad/mediocre, nothing beats a John Kander vamp. That opening trumpet solo always makes me happy. I'll miss the entracte to Act 2 when it closes. Seen it about 17 times and my favourite Roxie was Chita and my Velma was Ute.
Is Torch Song Trilogy destined to transfer? Still plenty of seats available for majority or remaining performances at the Menier so if its not selling out there will it work in the West End?
That makes two of us Tamerlano. It's a real treat to see the orchestra performing right in front of you. I always loved Chicago for that.
Even if it was by accident.
By accident, I mean, had they initially planned a full-scale revival of the show, it is more than likely they never would have chosen to have the orchestra up on stage instead of down in the pit. But people forget that this was not a traditional revival of an older musical. It was a concert production, slated for a limited run. So from the start, it was meant to be a very bare bones presentation. In a concert, there is more emphasis placed on the music since that's what primarily is being showcased/celebrated/introduced depending on the purpose of the concert.
But this is obviously not just a music concert but a musical play. The creative team shook things up a little and created a hybrid concert/play by partially staging it and featuring full choreography. They stuck the musicians in a giant, golden framed jury box and they all did their thing, never intending to take that same production all over the world or play London for the next 15 years. But it did, because it resonated with audiences who did not need anything more than what was given on that bare stage. Apart from the provocative, cynical book that rings true these days especially, it has irresistible music, and impressive choreography. That's all we need and Chicago has delivered.
I firmly believe the film version sort of marred the revival's flawless reputation, and through no real fault of its own, meaning that wasn't its intention, obviously. But still, it set people's expectations quite high, so when they bought tickets to see the revival onstage, they were either expecting to see the film onstage or at least expected a fully staged production with all the bells and whistles one has come to expect out of a show at Chicago ticket prices.
Not suggesting the film killed the stage version. If anything, it only brought attention to it but I have also read countless reviews and reports from people who were very disappointed with what they felt was a production done on the cheap. I'm usually ready to shrug my shoulders at non-theatre lovers who show up and are disappointed at a musical they expected to mimic the film version but not in this case because even long time theatre goers who first saw the film seem to think they were robbed after seeing the stage version. Of course, there are those like myself who find the revival to be completely fulfilling in every way. Nobody's right or wrong. It's entirely subjective and we can't say someone is wrong for expecting something more than a production that intended to be a simplified rendering of a fully staged show from the 70s.
I wish I would have caught it when I was in London in September, 2010. It's sad to see it close. I was actually surprised to find myself getting slightly misty eyed at the news. I have great memories with this production and it just wasn't something I was expecting to happen any time soon.
Congrats to all involved for a wildly successful run!!
And my favorite recording is still the '97 Lemper/Henshall London cast recording!
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Posted: 7/12/12 at 06:09pm