Blues Brothers Return for Final PerformancesDate: 27 March 2001
The hit musical The Blues Brothers returns to the West End next month. The show, which is currently touring regionally, is due to begin performances at the Whitehall Theatre from 24 April 2001. It replaces John Godber's Bouncers, which earlier this month announced a planned six-week extension. Bouncers was booking up to 5 May but will now close on 7 April after a run of nine weeks.
Having entertained over five million people over the past decade, The Blues Brothers is now, reportedly, mounting its "last ever" performances. For the show's "final tour", co-stars Simon Foster and Brad Henshaw are joined by special guest star Antonio Fargas, the legendary Huggy Bear from Starsky and Hutch.
The cult musical, which opened at the Whitehall in 1991, features characters Jake and Elwood Blues, created by Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi in the 1970s. Both men starred in the 1980 film version, which also included James Brown, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin among other blues greats.
Continued popularity for the stage version has led to both Aykroyd, and Belushi's wife Judi, deeming it The Official Tribute to The Blues Brothers. It has previously visited the West End on three occasions, and received an Olivier Award for Most Outstanding Entertainment of the Year.
Additional regional dates, so far confirmed, see the musical continuing to Sheffield, Southampton, Bromley, Leicester, Canterbury and Northampton with further dates to be added shortly.
- by Gareth Thompson
