Who Gets the New London? Contact or the RSC???

Now that Cats has meowed out, what will become of the West End's New London Theatre, filled up with felines for the past 21 years? At one point, a transfer for Elton John and Tim Rice's lavish Broadway musical Aida was on the cards. More recent rumours place that at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in spring 2003. Subsequently, Susan Stroman's Broadway dance-play Contact appeared to be muscling in. But this week, the Sunday Times plumped for another possibility – the New London as the new London home for the Royal Shakespeare Company, now fully removed from the Barbican Centre. According to the paper, the RSC plans to settle down there from next year (so much for one-off West End seasons?). But what then of Contact? The US showbiz bible Variety reports today that Stroman's Tony winner, still playing on Broadway, will make its London premiere on 23 October 2002, though at which venue is unconfirmed. Perhaps it still could be the New London for a limited engagement pre-RSC?

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