Theatre News

Troubled Dusty Springfield production loses nine cast members

The production at the Charing Cross Theatre, which opened in May, is yet to have its press night

Ellie Ann Lowe (Mary O'Brien) in Dusty
Ellie Ann Lowe (Mary O'Brien) in Dusty
"Summer is over" for nine Dusty cast members, with the Charing Cross Theatre production yet to have an official press night, three months since the first preview.

Five actors are due to leave by 22 August, in addition to four dancers. The show has already been forced to bring in a new director since it opened in May.

A source close to the show told The Stage: "Everyone was tired and fractious and suddenly [the producers] decided to keep postponing the press night."

In a cast of nineteen people, the changes have left producers with almost half the cast to replace. However, Charing Cross Theatre general manager Steven Levy assured The Stage that it was not a "wholesale change".

The show, which relies on a large amount of technology, has had its press night pushed back from June to September. It has received mixed reviews on Twitter:

The production currently stars Ellie Ann Lowe, and features futuristic 3D technology and digital media to celebrate the life of the British pop star.

Dusty is currently running at the Charing Cross Theatre until 21 November.