new show at Palladium will be announced Friday

[AnythingGoes23]

look out in Daily Mail...

[Mark_E]

Any clues at all?

[AnythingGoes23]

May not be as expected

[basil]

The time and available venue seems right for Memphis, it's the venue they wanted originally but the run of Charlie would have meant moving after a few months. Now the Palladium is free the run can be open ended. Listening to the music and having watched the dvd of the Broadway production I really do believe this could be a smash for the Palladium, a nice move away from revivals.

[Phantom of London]

I believe Memphis could be a smash hit in the West End also, but not at the Palladium, too big.

[basil]

I hear what you say but from what I've seen of the Memphis dvd it doesn't look any less production-wise as Sister Act which I saw at the Palladium, and there was no mega star in that show to help sell tickets. I think alot of the success of Memphis will be down to who they cast in the lead male role, and I have no suggestions on that front.

[Jonwo]

I think Memphis is better suited for a midsized theatre like the Shaftesbury, The Palladium is more suitable for big, lavish productions.

[Nickhutson]

Sister Act was the star in Sister Act.

Memphis means nothing to the British audience/coach parties; doesn't really matter whom they cast in it! Hope it doesn't open there - but if it does, good luck to it!

[Phantom of London]

The British audience doesn't know Memphis for now, that is the the job of the producers to challange possible perceptions and give out the message 'this is a fun show, where you will have a blast' and attract an already present captive audience, who just want to see a another good show.

Memphis will attract a different demographic to The Bodyguard and Viva Forever.

[DeNada]

I think it would be a very hard sell here unless they cast it with a star that can draw people to the theatre regardless of the show.

Obviously I can only speak for myself, but when I hear the word "Memphis" I think of Elvis - not the association they want us to make. And I don't think you can sell the show here with the marketing image from the Broadway production - a giant neon "Memphis" and a couple of people singing at a mike isn't particularly striking.

What is the "different" demographic that Memphis will attract? If you're trying to sell it as "a fun show where you will have a blast" that's exactly what Viva Forever will do - and that's got Spice Girls songs and Jennifer Saunders.

[everythingtaboo]

Could it be Jesus Christ Superstar, if Webber can't get WWRY out of the Dominion?

[wealllovechicken]

'Memphis will attract a different demographic to The Bodyguard and Viva Forever.'

I'm slightly confused to what you mean by this, does it really have a different target audience (demographic) to Bodyguard and Viva?

[rockyhorrorfan]

Time Out has said that the arena tour of JCS won't be going into the West End.

[Phantom of London]

Memphis will generally apeal more to a mature audience 40+ Where Bodyguard and Viva Forever will appeal to a more younger crowd.

Memphis being assosiated with 'Elvis' and that being a big obstacle to get over, is a great point and one I haven't thought about.

[THEATRE FAN]

It will be A CHORUS LINE as I said weeks ago on another thread

[David Somerville]

LONDON -- "A Chorus Line" will receive its first London revival since the original production, opening in February at the London Palladium on the West End.
Directed by the tuner's original co-choreographer Bob Avian, the show is produced by Mark Goucher, Adam Kenwright, ACT Prods., Tim Lawson, Daniel Sparrow and Mike Walsh Prods. by special arrangement with John Breglio and A Chorus Line Broadway. Breglio was the lead producer of the 2006 Broadwy revival, and also is the executor of the estate of "Chorus Line" co-creator Michael Bennett.

London production will play a strictly limited season running Feb. 2-June 29 at the 2,255-seat house owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Announcement comes in the wake of the death of the show's composer Marvin Hamlisch. Lloyd Webber commented: "Marvin Hamlisch was a great friend and supporter in my early career and I can think of no more fitting tribute to him than this major revival."

Bennett's original production, which opened in London at the Theater Royal Drury Lane in July 1976, ran almost three years there in contrast to the 15-year original Broadway run. Casting for the Brit revival has yet to be announced.

See link from Variety: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118058803

[AnythingGoes23]

Poo Baz never quite gets it!

Yes it is. Booking will open tomorrow...

Very exciting that this show will get a fully fledged big revival

[Jonwo]

I think A Chorus Line should do well, wasn't the first production at Drury Lane? It doesn't strike as a big show but I think its due to it needing a wide stage which not many smaller theatres have.

[AnythingGoes23]

It's because it needs a wide stage and the finale scene is quite a big number to stage.

I wish this production every success and hope they get it right!

[David Somerville]

I hope it's a huge success and a fitting tribute to the late Marvin Hamlisch. I am really happy about this announcement.

[rosscoe(au)]

If this a copy of the hugely successful Australian production that is near te ed of its tour down under, before Asia. You guys are in for a treat.

[MusicalBoy]

^ I for one hope that it will be a copy of the original broadway masterpiece and revival, SO psyched for this!!!

[rosscoe(au)]

Yeah, the Aussie one was done by the same team as the Broadway revival.

[MusicalBoy]

Oh, well then yay!

[ClapYo'Hands]

It's directed by Bob Avian so will almost certainly be the Broadway revival.

[Phantom of London]

Haven't I told you for a few weeks on here now, that A Chorus Line was going into the London Palladium for a limited four month run?

I wish the production every success.

Yeap the original did play Drury Lane, how many shows have played both legendary great London Theatres the London Palladium and the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane?