Post by nadine on Feb 7, 2004 0:15:14 GMT 11
www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/02/06/1075854062066.html
Bottoms but not enough bums on seats
By Sharon Verghis and Bryce Hallett
February 7, 2004
The producers of the high-profile musical The Full Monty have cancelled the show's Sydney season because of poor ticket sales, prompting fears of a downturn in the Australian theatre market.
IMG & David Atkins Enterprises and International Concert Attractions were hurt by the lack interest in a show that had been reviewed so positively.
In a statement released yesterday, they said: "We have produced a first-class contemporary musical . . . but with our combined experience we are at a loss to explain why audiences have not embraced this show in the numbers . . . we had expected."
The canning has prompted fears the local theatre industry is about to suffer the same down-turn hitting the West End and Broadway, but several producers believe The Full Monty's untimely demise is just a blip.
John Frost, who is bringing The Producers to Melbourne in April, said advance sales for the Mel Brooks stage hit had passed expectations. "It's a very odd phenomenon," he said.
James Thane, the head of Disney Theatrical Productions (Australia), agreed, pointing to the continued strong bookings for The Lion King.
The Theatre Royal, which was to open The Full Monty next month, said it was urgently looking for replacement.
The theatre's director, Kelvin McWhinney, said: "It's a financial blow for everybody - the producers, the theatres."
Privately, some have questioned the theatre industry's upbeat line. One producer, who did not want to be named, said: "Big-scale musicals aren't the way to make money any more and the scene may soon go dry - at least for a year or so."
Bottoms but not enough bums on seats
By Sharon Verghis and Bryce Hallett
February 7, 2004
The producers of the high-profile musical The Full Monty have cancelled the show's Sydney season because of poor ticket sales, prompting fears of a downturn in the Australian theatre market.
IMG & David Atkins Enterprises and International Concert Attractions were hurt by the lack interest in a show that had been reviewed so positively.
In a statement released yesterday, they said: "We have produced a first-class contemporary musical . . . but with our combined experience we are at a loss to explain why audiences have not embraced this show in the numbers . . . we had expected."
The canning has prompted fears the local theatre industry is about to suffer the same down-turn hitting the West End and Broadway, but several producers believe The Full Monty's untimely demise is just a blip.
John Frost, who is bringing The Producers to Melbourne in April, said advance sales for the Mel Brooks stage hit had passed expectations. "It's a very odd phenomenon," he said.
James Thane, the head of Disney Theatrical Productions (Australia), agreed, pointing to the continued strong bookings for The Lion King.
The Theatre Royal, which was to open The Full Monty next month, said it was urgently looking for replacement.
The theatre's director, Kelvin McWhinney, said: "It's a financial blow for everybody - the producers, the theatres."
Privately, some have questioned the theatre industry's upbeat line. One producer, who did not want to be named, said: "Big-scale musicals aren't the way to make money any more and the scene may soon go dry - at least for a year or so."
Very sad to see the show close, it was a lot of fun! 
