UK Roundup - three shows close, Rent concert and Tony envy

Poor Millie. Not only will she leave New York on June 20^th, but also London on the 26^th. Yes, the London production of Broadway's Thoroughly Modern Millie is set to close later this month, just a week after its Broadway closure. Its star is Amanda Holden, known to many in the UK as being the former wife of TV star Les Dennis, but for her own acting talents in shows such as Cutting It. The production originally starred Maureen Lipman as Mrs Meers, but the actress had to leave to care for husband Jack Rosenthal, who sadly died from long illness last week. Millie is expected to flap out on tour next year.

Another shutter is 'The Rod Stewart Musical' or Tonight's the Night as its official name goes. Despite a change in publicity, which rewrote all posters and adverts as 'The Rod Stewart Musical', the Ben Elton-penned show will close this Autumn at the Victoria Palace. It famously came into the West End as the first musical to charge £55 for tickets, with producers bragging it would only take 9 months to recoup its investment. It is rumoured to be replaced by Elton John's musical of Billy Elliot, directed by Stephen Daldry.

But it doesn't end there. To close in the West End it seems you have to join a queue! The Shape of Things, with Alicia Witt, will also bow out at the New Ambassador's Theatre on June 12^th. As reported last week, many plays are doing bad business and LaBute's revival was next on the hit list. It originally started life at the Almeida Theatre with Rachel Weiss, who went on to play the role in the film, which itself had a limited distribution. Ironically, a report in newspaper The Guardian last week boasted of plays having an upsurge in interest at our regional theatres, with many doing the best business for years.

Hot on the heels of the buzz surrounding Chris Columbus' film of Rent, a one-off benefit concert of the Jonathan Larson musical will come to London on August 1^st. Featuring a cast drawn from the West End and touring companies - including Debbie Kurup as Mimi and Jason Pennycooke as Angel - the musical will raise funds for the Millfield Theatre, where it is being held. Tickets are £95 and available on 0208 807 6680.

When The Weir opened in 1997at the Royal Court Theatre, no-one could have anticipated the massive success it went on to enjoy - a two year West End reign and a six month stint on Broadway. Now Conor McPherson returns to the Sloane Square venue with his new play Shining City, which he will also direct. Set in Dublin, the play is about a man who tells a counsellor he has seen the ghost of his recently deceased wife. The theatre recently finished its production of The Sweetest Swing in Baseball starring X-Files star Gillian Anderson.

And finally, here in the UK we could only jealously look on as the Tony Awards got under way on Sunday. Lavish red carpet opening, Hollywood stars packed to the brim, live webcasts, newspaper buzz - the works. Yet in the UK a closed Laurence Olivier Awards ceremony free from television transmission - and hardly any newpaper recognition - puts our theatre industry to shame. Perhaps a restoration in theatrical pride would help turn around our flagging audiences - even if it meant former Big Brother contestants presenting awards..

To post a comment, you must register and login.