News

West End set for more Broadway success?

Posted by Jack on Wednesday 1st July 2009 at 11:20AM

Some of the West End’s biggest current shows have set their sights on Broadway. After the phenomenal success of Billy Elliot and The Norman Conquests at this year’s Tony Awards, La Cage Aux Folles, A Little Night Music, Hamlet and Sister Act are all reported to want to a piece of the action.

Dragged over the pond?
La Cage Aux Folles caused a sensation when it opened at the Menier Chocolate Factory last year. When it transferred to the Playhouse it maintained its popularity with rave reviews and high profile cast changes. Graham Norton dragged up as Albin earlier this year, and John Barrowman will shimmy into the role in September.

Because of the La Cage’s enduring popularity and long term plans, it is believed that a Broadway production will run concurrently with the London show and will be open by the end of the year. The Menier’s original, award-winning Albin Douglas Hodge is believed to be reprising the role in New York.

  

A Little more Night Music
Fellow Menier production A Little Night Music has also had phenomenal success. With a strong cast of theatre stalwarts including Alex Hanson and Maureen Lipman, the show transferred to the Garrick in March. Originally intended as a limited run, it has extended several times and will now close this month.

Broadway producers have expressed an interest in getting a production going in a Jujamcyn theatre by the winter. Although the London production will not be running, it is thought that the New York show will have a new cast.

To be or not to be a Broadway hit…
As likely as Broadway transfers for La Cage and Night Music are, Hamlet’s plans are much more set in stone. The play, which stars Jude Law in the title role, will reopen at New York’s Broadhurst Theatre in October. Things are looking hopeful. The play, produced by the Donmar Warehouse, has received rapturous reviews at the Wyndham's. When it finishes in the West End next month, Hamlet will play a limited, already sold out season in Copenhagen before going to New York.

  

New York salvation?
Reports of Sister Act’s plans to cross the pond are more hushed. The show was a hit beyond expectations when it opened at the London Palladium in May, with rave reviews, packed houses and a widespread buzz. However, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s planned production of The Wizard of Oz is provisionally booked into the Palladium for next year.

If ALW’s Wizard plans do go ahead, it is rumoured that the entire production of Sister Act will be lifted to a theatre on Broadway. The show narrowly missed out on a New York run two years ago, but the rewrites and inspired casting that have made the show a smash in London have also made Sister Act a real Broadway competitor.

These planned transfers will hopefully recreate the success of home grown shows Billy Elliot and The Norman Conquests. Billy won a fantastic ten awards at this year’s Tonys while the Old Vic’s Conquests were nominated for seven, taking home Best Revival of a Play.