The Producers Snub Michael Crawford???

Daily Mail columnist Baz Bamigboye continues his ongoing speculation about West End casting for long overdue transfer of Broadway hit, The Producers (See The Goss, 25 Jul 2003). Apparently, while Lee Evans has agreed to play Leo Bloom, the London part of Max Bialystock is still up for grabs since first-pick Robert Lindsay turned down the part and, in what could be considered heresy for many Phantom fans, New York backers vetoed the choice of Michael Crawford. Why? It seems that - as with Olivier award winner Henry Goodman, who made international headlines when he was unceremoniously sacked from the Broadway production last year (See News, 16 Apr 2002) - Crawford simply isn't funny enough, according to the Americans. To be fair, given Crawford's recent track record on Broadway, where his big-budget comeback Dance of the Vampires closed in January after just 56 performances and a loss of some $56 million, you can understand their scepticism. As for The Producers, Bamigboye tips role originator Nathan Lane for a Max reprisal in the London production, which is expected to open next autumn at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

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