A recent statement issued by co-authors and producers Boublil and Schönberg reads, "Despite high praise from audience members, critically acclaimed performances and the release of the much anticipated cast recording, we have made the difficult decision to close the show in London a few weeks earlier than originally planned. Both the knock on effect of the current economic climate, as well as disappointing ticket sales throughout the summer months have contributed to our decision to close early."
They added, "We are grateful to our outstanding cast led by Ruthie Henshall, Julian Ovenden and Alexander Hanson and to our exceptional production team and artistic collaborators who have helped us to realise Marguerite at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. We are very proud of what we have achieved. In January next year we begin rehearsals for a Japanese production which will open at the Akasaka ACT Theatre in Tokyo in February, followed by performances in Osaka, and plans are underway for a Spanish production in 2009 and a French production in 2010."
The Haymarket is filling the hole in its schedule by a West End transfer of David Joss Buckley's new play, Girl With a Pearl Earring, starring Adrian Dunbar as Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer. Performances will begin Sept. 24 prior to an official opening on Sept. 29, for a run to Nov. 1. It is currently playing the Cambridge Arts Theatre through Sept. 20.
Girl With a Pearl Earring will be followed into the theatre by the British premiere of Ken Ludwig's Treasure Island, beginning performances Nov. 7, prior to an official opening Nov. 17. Ludwig's adaptation, which will star Keith Allen as Long John Silver, made its world premiere at Houston's Alley Theatre in May 2007.
Marguerite features music by Michel Legrand, a book by Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schönberg and Jonathan Kent, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer from the original French lyrics by Alain Boublil and orchestrations and arrangements by Michel Legrand and Seann Alderking. Directed by Jonathan Kent, previews of the Parisian-set love story began in London May 7 with an official opening May 20. The cast is led by Henshall in the title role with Julian Ovenden as Armand and Alexander Hanson as the German officer, Otto.
Set during the Second World War, Marguerite, according to press notes, "draws inspiration from one of the greatest of romantic novels, 'La Dame aux Camélias' by Alexandre Dumas. Marguerite is the beautiful and notorious mistress of a high ranking German officer. Armand is a young musician half her age who falls obsessively in love with her. Their dangerous love story is played out against the background of Occupied Paris."
For tickets contact the box office at 0845 481 1870.
