West End musical to close

the West End musical Marguerite, starring Theatreland's golden girl, Ruthie Henshall, is to close seven weeks early after struggling at the box office.

The musical, directed by Jonathan Kent, which opened at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in May, will end its run on 13 September, after 147 performances, rather than on the planned closing date of 1 November.

Its co-authors and producers, Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, blamed the closure on disappointing ticket sales and the effects of the credit crunch.

A joint statement read: "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."

The cast was led by Henshall, who is considered to be a strong box-office attraction, and also starred Julian Ovenden and Alexander Hanson. Set in Nazi-occupied Paris, it is a tragic love story adapted from Alexander Dumas's novel, La Dame aux Camellias.

This week, officials at the Playhouse Theatre announced that the reggae musical, The Harder They Come, featuring the music of Jimmy Cliff, would also be closing early. It will end its critically acclaimed West End season on 13 September.

Earlier this year, Trevor Nunn's Gone With the Wind also had to close early. That was largely because ofpoor reviews.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Career Services

Day In a Page

No secularism please, we're British

No secularism please, we're British

Arguments about the role of religion in national life have recently acquired a new urgency
Harold Tillman: 'Chinese tourists can save the high street – if we let them'

Harold Tillman interview

'Chinese tourists can save the high street – if we let them'
Working as a jail torturer ruined my life

Working as a jail torturer ruined my life

Meet the former soldier who has joined the political prisoners he tortured in Turkey's Mamak prison by suing the generals who led a regime of terror
The local high street jet shop

The local high street jet shop

Got a spare $50m and can't stand the queues at Heathrow? Get yourself down to London's first private plane dealership
Do you like your doctor? It could be the death of you

Do you like your doctor?

It could be the death of you...
The mysterious affair of how Agatha Christie is teaching foreigners English

How Agatha Christie is teaching foreigners English

Twenty of the author's novels have been adapted and presented with learning notes and a CD
Six Grammys, five years off: Adele puts love before career

Six Grammys, five years off

Adele puts love before career
The 10 Best binoculars

The 10 Best binoculars

From no-frills to bins with digital cameras
Milan for £300

Milan for £300?

A cultural family holiday - on a budget - to Italy's most stylish city
'Black-hole' resorts: Turn up, tune out, log off

'Black-hole' resorts

Turn up, tune out, log off
New Arsenal face an old question of credibility in San Siro

New Arsenal face an old question of credibility in San Siro

Remodelled since winning in Milan in 2008, for all their consistency – and prize-money – Wenger's side are yet to claim a European title
James Lawton: This prodigal son deserves no forgiveness

James Lawton: This prodigal son deserves no forgiveness

City would be putting their desire to win title ahead of morals if Tevez plays for them
Mark Cavendish: Is Olympic gold at end of the rainbow?

Mark Cavendish interview

Is Olympic gold at end of the rainbow?
Apple admits it has a human rights problem

Apple admits it has a human rights problem

After years of complaints and workers' suicides in China the technology giant faces up to the human cost of its gadgets
Peter Moore: 'I feel guilty I'm the only one alive'

Peter Moore interview

'I feel guilty I'm the only one alive'