A CHORUS LINE at London Palladium 2 Feb - 29 June 2013

[David Somerville]

"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.

[TBFL]

WOW! Didnt see that coming. I'm amazed that it took them this long to have a major West End production again.

I saw the NY revival on its pre town try out in San francisco and later again in NYC. Both times the audience erupted at the iconic opening music and again after Mara Davi's fabulous belting in At The Ballet. Though the book has lost some of it's edge, its still a thrilling night at the theatre.

Also with this production team it will be an amazing cast. Really looking forward to seeing some great new talent come through this production.

[ACL2006]

anyone else think the Palladium is way too big?? and why a limited run of just 5 months??

[Mark_E]

Because for a strictly limited season, it should probably do alright.

[ClapYo'Hands]

1. The original production played the Drury Lane.

2. It won't sell for longer.

[Phantom of London]

Great, I look forward to this and is great spectacle for any theatre fan.

I saw this production by accident as I didn't realise it was on until I got out there and saw this production in the Pantages theatre, Los Angeles.

I thought this definitely would struggle if it was a open run, still think it will struggle in the iconic London Palladium, so guess discounts will not be hard to come by, which wouldn't be a great problem as the show costs next to nothing to produce.

[ClapYo'Hands]

Unbelievably excited for this. I hear the cast are pretty spectacular!

[theatrepaul]

I am looking forward to this. I saw the last revival in New York a few years back and really enjoyed it. A revival here is long overdue.

I imagine a run along the lines of the current Sweeney Todd run, so would expect there will be plenty of discounts later on as don't think it will have the capacity to sustain a long, sell out run, especially in the Palladium.

[ClapYo'Hands]

Website now live:

http://www.achoruslinelondon.com/

[theatrepaul]

any rumours on casting?

[ClapYo'Hands]

Only that I'm told the cast is pretty spectacular!

[DeNada]

What does "spectacular" mean, though? I'm sure we'll have some excellent dancers in the show, but there aren't that many "stars" who are really known for their dance ability. It'll be interesting to see who ends up in the show.

[AnythingGoes23]

Casting isn't due to start until End of October when Bob Avain comes over... I doubt anything will be confirmed before hand. The only "star" casting role tends to be Cassie or Zack

[ClapYo'Hands]

I've heard a little differently...ah well, we'll see! :)

[Phantom of London]

Think they will need to stunt cast a couple of roles , to get the punters in.

[luke-h***]

I disagree that they will need to stunt cast it - hence why it's doing only 5 months? So SO exciting though!

[MusicalBoy]

^ It's about filling the Palladium, though.

Hardly stunt casting, but I was wondering if Ruthie Henshall could dance Cassie at this point, because if so, she'd be sensational.

[luke-h***]

I honestly think stunt casting isn't something they will do. It's such a short run. I know the Broadway revival played at a much smaller theatre, but it was pretty succesful. I'd hardy call Charlotte D'Amboise and Michael Berresse stunt-casting.

Still, Ruthie would be great. Doubt she can dance it anymore though, unfortunately. Or sing it actually, look at Marguerite.

[Scripps2]

The whole message of this show should preclude the casting of stars and stunts.

Did casting Adam Faith as Zach in the late 1990s UK tour do the show or the box office any favours?

[BWF]

I saw the original outing at Drury Lane four times, twice with the American cast who were spectacular and twice with the English cast who were ok.

I saw the Adam Faith debacle in Bristol, awful.

In my opinion this musical doesn't play well with Brits in the roles but that's just me.

[abitoftap]

Surprising how often Adam Faith and debacle appear in the same sentence....

[AnythingGoes23]

Ruthie would be a disaster! I can't bear to hear her sing anymore gritting her teeth thru a song....!

The role of Zack you could do some clever casting with, he doesn't sing or dance hardly.

The show is going to face quite a struggle despite how over joyed we all our. Theatre luvvies and dance groups, who will only want to pay minimum and hold out for discounts, will immediately want tickets. I hope they use the Autumn with X Factor and Strictly to get some good marketing done.... AKA though, don't hold your breath...

[DeNada]

Hah! AnythingGoes I've been trying to work out which agency you work at for years - you've just narrowed it down that little bit further with your AKA comment. So I'm basically down to Dewynters, unless you're at one of the bigger ticketing places like See and Ticketmaster... :p

[lotiloti]

Please NO stunt casting !

[Phantom of London]

Just thinking next year for the Olivier Award Best Musical Revival, it is going to be very tough and I doubt it has been this tough for years (amend ever)? The bar is sky high next year with:

Ragtime
Sweeney Todd
Carousel
Kiss Me Kate
Cabaret
Scrooge The Musical
and of course A Chorus Line

[MusicalBoy]

A Chorus Line opens 19th February, the Olivier awards period ends Feburary 15th, so doesn't that mean it will only be eligible for the 2014 olivier awards?