Lord of the Rings musical closing this July

[Mithalwen]

that while many of the critics admitted they hated Tolkien and so were prejudiced from the start, and clearly some are prejudiced for other reasons, I know I am not alone in having enjoyed the Lodon production and I am sorry it is closing. However I think it is too simplistic to say it could never work...

It is not a great time for the West End

http://arts.guardian.co.uk/theatre/d...139843,00.html

The strength of the pound and the fact that tourism has never really recovered from the aftermath of the atrocities of 11th September 2001 mean that the theatres are getting very cautious. It says a lot that the Rings is going to be replaced by a production of "Oliver!" with the eponymous hero and Nancy being played by the winners of the latest BBC "audition by television" show, a follow up to the highly successful contests for a new Maria (Sound of Music) and Joseph (and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat). Dont' get me wrong, I enjoyed both the shows (and my favourites won through .. .) but it is a worrying sign for the longterm health of the industry if the only things that can get put on are tried and tested pot-boilers starring people who have had huge tv exposure.