Betty Blue Eyes posts closing notices
Story by Jack Foley
BETTY Blue Eyes has posted early closing noticed at The Novello Theatre.
The production, which marked Cameron Mackintosh’s first original musical production in over a decade, will play its last performance on September 24, 2011 after a run of six months.
The musical comedy had been booking until January 28, 2012.
In a candid press statement Mackintosh said that despite positive reviews, the new musical had “failed to attract an audience in sufficient numbers to remain economically viable”.
The producer, whose past hits include The Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera, also blamed “prevailing economic uncertainties nationally”.
He said that it was increasingly hard to attract theatre-goers to new and “unknown work” rather than long-running West End shows.
The statement continued: “It is very curious – after such amazing reviews and positive word of mouth, no-one knows the real reason why Betty couldn’t find a bigger audience.
“We have been consistently playing to just over 50% (of capacity) but it just isn’t enough to cover the costs. Of course, I am disappointed but I’m not despondent, I am enormously proud of Betty. I know that she will eventually have her day and another life.”
Betty Blue Eyes opened at the Novello in April under the direction of former National Theatre director Richard Eyre.
It stars Sarah Lancashire, Reece Shearsmith, David Bamber, Jack Edwards, Ann Emery, Mark Meadows and Adrian Scarborough.
Read our review of the production