NT's Anything Goes to the West End???

With outstanding reviews, daily queues for returns and now both a Critics Circle and a Laurence Olivier award under its belt, small wonder that speculation is rife about a possible West End transfer for Anything Goes, Trevor Nunn's final musical as artistic director of the National Theatre. Even the cast - such as Simon Day, the subject of this week's 20 Questions interview - are keeping their options open. But would a transfer be practical? While Lerner and Loewe's My Fair Lady successfully made the move two years ago, impresario Cameron Mackintosh was signed up as that show's co-producer before rehearsals even began on the South Bank. Last year, Nunn's equally lauded and award-laurelled revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific didn't ultimately secure the commercial backing to effect a transfer, despite persistent rumours. An industry insider, having a quick go at the maths, told Whatsonstage.com a transfer of Anything Goes just didn't add up, especially in the current climate. Despite the enormous goodwill behind the Cole Porter revival, he estimated the show would need to make back £250,000 a week - to cover basics like cast, orchestra and backstage salaries as well as rent, advertising and marketing - before it achieved any profit. And that's assuming all the principals were still available at the right time for the right venue. Well, who knows? We certainly don't want to be a spoilsport so let's keep our fingers crossed. Meanwhile, the production continues at the NT Olivier - in rep with Nunn's final NT production, Love's Labour's Lost - until 22 March. If you haven't already booked your tickets, your safest bet may be to start queuing now.

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