Shows to close and new work??

I was invited to Jersey Boys Trade night yesterday (I couldn't go sadly) but it seems to be okay. All 4 cast members have changed and yesterday was sort of the press night for them. I don't think they would go to such trouble if it was dying.

As pointed out on here the closure of Chicago and Blood Brothers have certainly freed up some theatre space, Billy Elliott (sad) has too and don't forget We Will Rock You, then you have War Horse and 39 steps also gone.

Mamma Mia, Sunny Afternoon, Queens and Lyric are in traditional play houses, that tend to be sort of 'circuit' theatres, by which I mean a play would pitch up for 3-4 months then move on, so limits plays coming into the West End.

Thriller isn't going nowhere (shamefully).

You can probably convince more people in a multigenerational group (like a family) to go see Jersey Boys, because even if they're not into theatre, they may still be attracted to the storyline and name recognition. You also might learn something about the group from JB, but you probably wouldn't from a concert.


The Four Seasons/Frankie Valli concert series was also booked at the Broadway Theatre, which is much larger than the August Wilson -- that may have had something to do with its sales.

JB hasn't done GREAT on Broadway lately, but people are still going. I wouldn't be surprised if this or next is its last year, though.

www.broadwayworld.com/grosses/JERSEY-BOYS

As much as I agree, I'm kinda glad that there are shows I don't need to see again as it allows me to not spend all my money going to the theatre, that said it would be good if there were more new shows in the WE but producers over here seem to be very safe in their choices.

I actually really love Mamma Mia! much as I know a lot of people dislike it. It is what it tries to be... good fun and I really enjoy it, so that can happily stick around and I won't mind.

Which is a massive shame if true, as that is a great theatre... though funnily enough, the theatre is one of theatres I imagined Finding Neverland to go into.

But that set though... 

When I saw Beautuful last month they were offering lots of us upgrades to the stalls as they hadn't sold them. Whilst I love the show, I too, can't envisage it staying beyond another year.

^ Same. I could consider day seating for this but this theatre seems to have an anti-day seat policy. I waited until the end of On Your Feet and they didn't budge (eventually bought a discounted ticket).

I like Mamma Mia! but I think the set is so cheap looking and it was clearly downsized when it moved from the Prince of Wales to the Novello.

Aside from having new shows, I think letting the theatres themselves have a short period to be refreshed and refurbished can do a lot for the audience experience. Look at the Prince Edward and Prince of Wales, both of which were extensively refurbished and the results are stunning, I look forward to seeing the Victoria Palace when it's fully refurbished next year and that couldn't have happened without Billy Elliot closing.