Matilda Goes To Broadway But Firmly Tied To RSC Apron Strings.
Matilda Goes To Broadway But Firmly Tied To RSC Apron Strings.
MamasDoin'Fine
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/28/08
#1Matilda Goes To Broadway But Firmly Tied To RSC Apron Strings.
Posted: 2/15/12 at 1:28pm
American producers are eyeing up the bestselling musical – but Royal Shakespeare Company is likely to keep a firm hold over the project.
The RSC is considering taking its hit musical 'Matilda' to Broadway – but wants to keep the show under its own control, rather than in collaboration with a local independent producer.
Despite interest from a number of major Broadway producers, including those behind 'The Book of Mormon' and 'The Producers', the RSC will to keep a firm hold over any New York transfer.
The RSC has not announced any future plans for its latest commercial success, but following unanimously positive reviews in both Stratford and London, 'Matilda' is hotly tipped to transfer to Broadway in early 2013.
A spokesperson for the RSC confirmed that the production's executive producer André Ptaszynski was in New York last week.
An RSC source said: "They're going to do it themselves, maybe in conjunction with a theatre owner, but not with an independent producer."
In January, RSC executive director Vicky Heywood signalled the company's intention to keep "absolute control" over any future productions of 'Matilda'. The company had its fingers burnt by 'Les Misérables', which, she revealed, only brought the company around £19m in profit – despite being seen by a global audience of over 60 million.
Were the RSC to produce 'Matilda' on Broadway itself, it would be going one step further than the National Theatre did with its acclaimed 'War Horse'. After reaping the financial benefits of producing the West End transfer , the National Theatre teamed up with American producers, including Harriet Newman Leve Productions, for its Lincoln Centre run.
In January, the RSC reported 'Matilda' was weeks away from recouping its costs, having taken £7m at the box office.
#2Matilda Goes To Broadway But Firmly Tied To RSC Apron Strings.
Posted: 2/15/12 at 5:17pmGood for the RSC. Why should it lose control and give anything away when it has such a massive cash cow on its hands that will give them so many opportunities to deliver everything they want to in the years to come.
alterego
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/03
#2Matilda Goes To Broadway But Firmly Tied To RSC Apron Strings.
Posted: 2/15/12 at 7:10pmI have heard talk of an Australian production opening in Melbourne in December.
Jonwo
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/16/06
#3Matilda Goes To Broadway But Firmly Tied To RSC Apron Strings.
Posted: 2/15/12 at 7:40pm
Risky for the RSC to go alone but it'll pay off handsomely if it is a hit. Wonder what theatres they are looking at for the Broadway transfer? The original article suggests they'll partner with The Nederlander Organisation.
Updated On: 2/15/12 at 07:40 PM
#4Matilda Goes To Broadway But Firmly Tied To RSC Apron Strings.
Posted: 2/16/12 at 5:57am
This is a positive move. American producers meddle too much; Billy Elliot was changed, Mary Poppins was changed, The Boyfriend was changed, Priscilla was changed...
Matilda is SO British and one can see that the RSC wouldn't want to have an American version of Matilda (look at the movie for that (!) ).
Nick Hutson
Co-Presenter/Producer
MusicalTalk - The UK's Musical Theatre Podcast
http://www.musicaltalk.co.uk
#5Matilda Goes To Broadway But Firmly Tied To RSC Apron Strings.
Posted: 2/16/12 at 7:02amThe reason why 'Matilda' wants to do Broadway by itself is, it already has a excellent review from Ben Brantley, New York Times in its kitbag, but when it was the production partner for Les Miserable, which grossed $2 billion, they only earned a paultry $18 million. So doesn't want to do another bad deal.
#6Matilda Goes To Broadway But Firmly Tied To RSC Apron Strings.
Posted: 2/16/12 at 4:43pm19 million is still a lot of money. I get that Les Miz was hugely successful and they are probably kicking themselves for not having worked out a better deal in the beginning, but they didn't and whining over their "measly" 19 million makes them look like a bunch of jerks.
MamasDoin'Fine
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/28/08
#7Matilda Goes To Broadway But Firmly Tied To RSC Apron Strings.
Posted: 2/16/12 at 4:49pm
Over 20 odd years, no way. They deserve more!
What a stupid remark!
Updated On: 2/16/12 at 04:49 PM
#8Matilda Goes To Broadway But Firmly Tied To RSC Apron Strings.
Posted: 2/16/12 at 8:41pm
^^
Could you perhaps point to where they're 'whining'? They fully admit that they made an error and seem to just be learning from it. They don't appear like a bunch of jerks at all. :/
Secondly, it's a legitimate concern to have spawned a show which has made $2,000,000,000 but only $19,000,000 in return (as was said, but I feel like: http://xkcd.com/558/), don't you think?
Updated On: 2/16/12 at 08:41 PM
