Never Forget scraps West End extension after cast refuses pay cuts

Published Thursday 2 October 2008 at 11:55 by Alistair Smith

Take That musical Never Forget has cancelled its plans to transfer to the Lyric Theatre and will now end its West End run at the Savoy Theatre on November 15.

As revealed by The Stage last week, cast members of the show clashed with producers over proposed new contracts, which would have been introduced had the show transferred to the smaller Lyric Theatre.

At the time, a source close to the cast told The Stage that this would have involved both principals and ensemble members taking “substantial” pay cuts, while the cast might also have been reduced in size.

Now, producers have decided to scrap the planned transfer and Never Forget will instead embark upon a UK tour next year, before a planned return to the West End.

Commenting on the decision, producer Bronia Buchanan said: “The show was going to have to be substantially re-conceived for the smaller Lyric Theatre, and after discussions with the theatre, the unions, our fabulous cast and creative team, we have decided we need to re-imagine this version and protect the integrity of the production in its current format which has been proven to work time and time again, astounding and thrilling audiences every single night.

“So this show will now be going out on UK tour, new productions will open in territories around the world next year and there is no doubt that it will be back in the West End in the not too distant future.”

For more on this story, see next week’s print edition of The Stage.