Aladdin Closing (West End)

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/24/19 at 11:10am

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/ALADDIN-Ends-West-End-Run-August-24-MARY-POPPINS-to-Fill-its-Theatre-This-Fall-20190824

Was it not selling well over there? Surprised it's closing. 

And a new Mary Poppins? I guess to the capitalize on the recent movie?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/24/19 at 11:16am

The Mary Poppins revival was announced a while back but I can’t remember if they announced a theatre with it. I’m guessing not because Aladdin closing is a bit of a surprise.

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 8/24/19 at 11:16am

'Cameron Mackintosh's new production of Mary Poppins'...

......so basically a much MUCH cheaper production.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/24/19 at 11:17am

I’m 98% sure they announced a theatre at the same time they announced “Mary Poppins” run.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/24/19 at 12:32pm

Is Cam desperate for money? It seems like he's really cash grabbing now. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 8/24/19 at 12:34pm

Isn’t any billionaire desperate to become even more of a billionaire?

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 8/24/19 at 12:42pm

FANtomFollies said: "'Cameron Mackintosh's new production of Mary Poppins'...

......so basically a much MUCH cheaper production."

 

Is this an all new production? I was under the impression that it was just going to be a replica of the original production, but I may be wrong...

[stockholm.tom]

Posted: 8/24/19 at 12:47pm

It was actually already announced almost a year ago, so not really a surprise  

https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/aladdin-set-to-close-in-the-west-end

 

 

CATSNYrevival said: "The Mary Poppins revival was announced a while back but I can’t remember if they announced a theatre with it. I’m guessing not because Aladdin closing is a bit of a surprise."

 

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/24/19 at 1:01pm

I guess I missed that or just forgot. Thanks!

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 8/24/19 at 1:09pm

bwayphreak234 said: "FANtomFollies said: "'Cameron Mackintosh's new production of Mary Poppins'...

......so basically a much MUCH cheaper production."



Is this an all new production? I was under the impression that it was just going to be a replica of the original production, but I may be wrong..."

It is a restaging rather than a true revival. 

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 8/24/19 at 2:06pm

It seems like whenever a production comes back to Broadway/ West End it is a cheaper version - often because they use the touring set. I remember when the recent Hair revival came back to Broadway it was the touring set and felt very cheap. I had really talked the production up, having seen it the first go round soon after opening with Gavin Creel. It was such a disapointment going back and my friend couldn't understand why I had made such a fuss.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 8/24/19 at 3:05pm

FANtomFollies said: "It seems like whenever a production comes back to Broadway/ West End it is a cheaper version - often because they use the touring set. I remember when the recent Hair revival came back to Broadway it was the touring set and felt very cheap. I had really talked the production up, having seen it the first go round soon after opening with Gavin Creel. It was such a disapointment going back and my friend couldn't understand why I had made such a fuss."

In all fairness, the HAIR return was advertised as an extended tour stop...

 

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 8/26/19 at 9:12am

I am surprised that Aladdin is closing in London so soon. I thought it might run longer, or even move to another theatre. But, West End shows like to tour, and then pop back into London for a holiday season, or what not so that can happen.

Also, to a certain point, neither Cameron Mackintosh or Disney lose out. The Prince of Wales Theatre is owned by Mackintosh so he gets a show in his own theatre, produced by him, and Disney gets one of their shows replaced for another one of theirs. I'm sure no one is really upset between both parties.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/26/19 at 12:19pm

But is Aladdin still selling out there? It's still doing amazing business here. 

[ukpuppetboy]

Posted: 8/26/19 at 10:36pm

RippedMan said: "But is Aladdin still selling out there? It's still doing amazing business here."

Honestly I don’t think it was ever received that warmly in London - with the general consensus being that it was an overblown pantomime at best. British audiences are fairly used to seeing (non-Disney) versions of Aladdin around the country every Christmas and this was not significantly different to capture anyones’ imagination - though obviously it did well with tourists and fans of the animation to survive 3 years without too much discounting. It helped that the replacement leads were a marked improvement on the originals here but it was definitely time to move on... 

 

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 8/26/19 at 11:13pm

Aladdin did fine there but not exactly gangbusters compared to The Lion King. Mary Poppins seems to be a priority for Disney, with the musical revival in London and the new attraction at Epcot. I guess they feel it's more a family fit, more a hometown hero.

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 8/26/19 at 11:27pm

Epcot at Disneyland Paris?

[ukpuppetboy]

Posted: 8/27/19 at 1:11am

everythingtaboo said: "Aladdin did fine there but not exactly gangbusters compared to The Lion King. Mary Poppins seems to be a priority for Disney, with the musical revival in London and the new attraction at Epcot. I guess they feel it's more a family fit, more a hometown hero."

I’m not convinced London is really calling out for a revival of Mary Poppins either though. It seems to be more a Cameron Mackintosh vanity project and I think it will go the way of the Miss Saigon at the same theatre. Great for those that missed it the first time around, but hardly exciting for anyone else. 12 -18 months tops. Give me a full scale Hunchback any day.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/27/19 at 1:42am

ukpuppetboy said: "I’m not convinced London is really calling out for a revival of Mary Poppins either though. It seems to be more a Cameron Mackintosh vanity project and Ithink it will go the way of the Miss Saigon at the same theatre. Great for those that missed it the first time around, but hardly exciting for anyone else. 12 -18 months tops.Give me a full scale Hunchback any day."

I’m excited for Mary Poppins because of Charlie Stemp. I saw him in Hello, Dolly! and I think he’ll make a great Bert. I won’t be able to get to London to see him in this but I’m hoping to get a glimpse of his performance from advertising videos at least since a new cast recording is unlikely. Though I wouldn’t mind one.

I’m more excited for The Prince of Egypt though, which I keep forgetting isn’t Disney. I really hope that one is a hit and transfers to Broadway. I’d really like to see it.

 

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 8/27/19 at 2:57pm

I was surprised that the Broadway production didn't bring on Matt Croke next month since Disney likes to move their own people around. I think he does have another show lined up already but I don't know the timing of when he committed to it. 

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 8/27/19 at 2:59pm

Do we think Hunchback will ever go to the West End? Maybe if Prince of Egypt is a success.

[trpguyy]

Posted: 8/27/19 at 8:52pm

RWPrincess said: "I was surprised that the Broadway production didn't bring on Matt Croke next month since Disney likes to move their own people around. I think he does have another show lined up already but I don't know the timing of when he committed to it."

They did move their people around. Clinton Greenspan joins the Broadway company directly from the North American tour. 

[batboysings]

Posted: 9/1/19 at 1:57pm

Interestingly the show was filmed in London last night, but using a cast made up from the Broadway, US tour and Australian companies, plus the London ensemble. Presumably for a cinematic release like "Newsies"?

[Princeton2]

Posted: 9/1/19 at 2:17pm

Aside the Lion King, other Disney shows runs have been about 3 years. I agree, Cameron has wanted Poppins back for years, I dont think he was happy it closed so soon first time around. But this is the touring production which not long toured the UK, I cant see it lasting more than 12 to 18 months like Miss Saigon.

Aladdin was always going to have an issue in the UK due to pantomimes. It sold on nostalgia, if you weren't a Disney fan then it didnt offer anything new that panto doesn't. The high end pantos even have flying carpets. The characterisation of Jafar in the musical was a massive let down, that was very panto and didnt do justice to one of Disneys best villains

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/1/19 at 3:11pm

batboysings said: "Interestingly the show was filmed in London last night, but using a cast made up from the Broadway, US tour and Australian companies, plus the London ensemble. Presumably for a cinematic release like "Newsies"?"

Perhaps they are only bringing back Mary Poppins to do the same thing. With the new streaming service, I think I can see Disney filming quite a few of their stage works.