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Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
INSPITE of recently extending its booking period to January 14,
2006, it has just been announced that The Far Pavilions
will close on September 17, 2005, after just five months.
The reason given is leading lady Iyer's impending return to India
when her work permit expires. However, producers are considering
a UK regional tour.
Earlier this week, the show celebrated 58 years of Indian and
Pakistani independence by offering tickets for 58 rupees - about
75p.
Previously Posted: It has now been confirmed
that Hadley Fraser and Gayatri Iyer will head the 50-strong cast
of the £4 million musical, The Far Pavilions,
when it premieres at the Shaftesbury Theatre, on April 14, 2005.
Order
tickets now!
PREVIOUSLY POSTED: After almost ten years in
the making, a new musical version of MM Kaye's novel, The
Far Pavilions, will open at the Shaftesbury Theatre on
April 14, 2005 (previews from March 24).
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Originally published in 1978,
The Far Pavilions is a story of forbidden love; of a young
Englishman, Ashton Pelham-Martyn, and Anjuli, an Indian princess.
Set in 19th century colonial India, it has all the ingredients
that make a story unforgettable - divided loyalties, friendship
that endures till death, the clash between east and west, and
exotic locations, such as the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas.
Previously seen as a TV adaptation in 1984, with Sir Ben Kingley
and Amy Irving in key roles, the stage version will star Hadley
Fraser (Marius in Les Miserables)
and Kabir Bedi.
The Far Pavilions will be produced by Michael Ward whose
wife, a fan of the novel, first gave him the idea for a musical
version. Author MM Kaye was also involved with the project although,
sadly, she died in January this year, so will not see it come
to fruition.
Kaye, herself, had strong links with India. She was born there
and subsequently, spent most of her childhood and early married
life in that country.
Several close family members, her husband included, served the
Raj; while her grandfather's first cousin, Sir John Kaye, wrote
accounts of the Indian Mutiny and the first Afghan War.
The Far Pavilions will be directed by Gale Edwards;
with words and lyrics by Stephen Clark who won an Olivier award
for his contribution to Martin Guerre, and music by Philip
Henderson.
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