Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Beautiful Game has suffered losses caused by a downturn in tourism and will close after just one year. The show, co-written with Ben Elton and launched last September, following the story of a Northern Irish youth football team at the height of the troubles, will close 1 September. London's Theatreland has been dealt a blow by the downturn in tourism caused by high costs in the capital and the impact of the foot and mouth crisis, with cancellations of tickets booked for the show through overseas agents reaching £1m. In a statement, Lloyd Webber cited the show's theme as a reason for its closure: I always knew writing about Northern Ireland would be understandably difficult for British audiences. Challenges in musical theatre are my lifeblood and always will be. A new production of The Beautiful Game will open in Toronto next autumn before a move to New York.
If you would like to get each issue of Spa Business and Spa Business insider magazines sent direct to you for FREE, plus the weekly Spa Business and Spa Business insider ezines, sign up now!
|