Theatre News

A Chorus Line closes at Palladium in August, UK tour planned next year

The West End transfer of Bob Avian’s award-winning production of A Chorus Line has confirmed it will shutter at the Palladium in the summer

The cast of A Chorus Line
The cast of A Chorus Line
© Francis Loney

The West End revival of A Chorus Line has announced it will close at the London Palladium on 31 August 2013.

The production, which had been booking until January 2014, will reportedly embark on a European tour before returning to the UK for a tour “beginning in autumn 2014”.

Producer Mark Goucher said today: “We are extremely proud of this production of A Chorus Line and would like to thank the cast and creative team for their exceptional work. It has been a huge privilege bringing this extraordinary show back to life on the London stage. We will be very sad to see it close.”

The show – which takes a behind-the-scenes look at 17 hopefuls auditioning for just eight places in a new Broadway musical – has a book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Date, with music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban. Its famous score includes numbers such as “I Hope I Get It”, “Sing!” and, most memorably, “One (Singular Sensation)”.

The production is directed by Bob Avian, who also helmed the 2006 Tony-nominated Broadway production. Avian was Bennett’s long-term collaborator and his co-choreographer on the original 1975 production.

The West End cast is led by Scarlett Strallen (Cassie), Olivier Award-winner Leigh Zimmerman (Sheila), John Partridge (Zach) and Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (Diana).

A Chorus Line is produced by Mark Goucher, Adam Kenwright, ACT Productions, Tim Lawson, Daniel Sparrow & Mike Walsh Productions by special arrangement with John Breglio and A Chorus Line Broadway.

No further shows have been announced for the 2,300-seat Palladium. X Factor musical I Can’t Sing! premieres at the venue in March next year.