West End’s Marguerite to close early

Published Thursday 21 August 2008 at 13:35 by Lalayn Baluch

Creators of West End musical Marguerite have decided to close the show nearly two months earlier than scheduled because of the UK’s current “economic climate”.

The production, which is playing at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, opened on May 20 and was meant to run until November 1.

However, in an announcement today, the show’s writers and producers Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg revealed that it would now close on September 13.

They said: “Despite high praise from audience members, critically acclaimed performances and the release of the much-anticipated cast recording, we have made the difficult decision to close the show in London a few weeks earlier than originally planned.Ê

“Both the knock-on effect of the current economic climate, as well as disappointing ticket sales throughout the summer months, have contributed to our decision to close early.”ÊÊ

The news comes just weeks after producers announced that a new Japanese version of Marguerite would be opening in Tokyo next year, with productions in Spanish and French also in the pipeline.

Marguerite is directed by Jonathan Kent, and will be his last production at the Haymarket under the title of artistic director. The cast is led by Ruthie Henshall, with music by Michel Legrand.

Meanwhile, the musical will be replaced at the West End venue by a production of The Girl With a Pearl Earring, which is currently running at Cambridge Arts Theatre, on September 29 for a limited season.

The new play by David Joss Buckley will star Adrian Dunbar as Vermeer, and will also feature Cranford actress Kimberley Nixon. Directed by Joe Dowling, it is scheduled to run until November 1.