Theatre News

Troubled Golden Voice musical cancelled

The London production of new musical The Golden Voice has cancelled its run due to funding problems

The London production of The Golden Voice at the Arts Theatre has been cancelled, according to The Stage.

The show, which had been due to run until 31 August, has been plagued by investment problems – WhatsOnStage previously reported that the original press night was delayed “due to investment money from China being tied up in international banking red tape”.

The cast had included Darren Day, who will now star in the touring production of The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee.

Mig Kimpton, executive director of the Arts, told The Stage: “It is with regret that we can confirm the intended new musical The Golden Voice will now not be presented at the Arts Theatre this summer. The producers have not secured the funds in order to produce it. We are now negotiating recovering our losses. It is a shame that this new work will not be seen at our theatre.

“We realise we are in a tough economic climate and producing a West End show is a very expensive business and relies on large investment; it is a real pity that the investment was not 100% secured. The Arts Theatre continues to support new work, new producers and therefore our autumn season will open on September 13 with a new play, Storm in a Flower Vase by Anton Burge.”

The Stage later exposed an Equity investigation into unpaid cast wages, but producer Rob Hewitt insisted everyone involved will be paid.

A spokeswoman for the Arts Theatre said no official press statement had been made, but that another show is booked in for dates The Golden Voice was scheduled for.

– Louise Miles