Theatre News

Park Avenue Cat Posts Closing Notices at Arts, 6 Aug

Park Avenue Cat has posted closing notices at the West End’s Arts Theatre. The play, by American Frank Strausser, received its London premiere on 7 July 2011 (previews from 1 July) at the Arts, where it had been booking until 20 August. It will now close two weeks early on Saturday 6 August.

In the contemporary comedy, a case of mistaken identity collides with the heady world of Los Angeles dating and leads to a three-way battle on a confused therapist’s couch. Josefina Gabrielle, Gray O’Brien, Daniel Weyman and Tessa Peake-Jones star in the production, directed by Glen Walford.

According to a press statement issued today, the play, which has a set including two revolves, was beset with technical difficulties during previews which meant the show was not ready for press night. The producers subsequently cancelled a performance to rework the piece with script changes, explaining that “our job is to present the very best production of the play that we can and work does not and should not just stop on press night”.

Park Avenue Cat producer Louise Chantal further commented today: “It’s always sad when a new play closes early as they are the lifeblood of theatre, and rare within the commercial sector. Nonetheless, it’s been a joy to work on Frank Strausser’s comedy with such a fine cast and great company, and the Arts Theatre under executive director Mig Kimpton is the most welcoming and supportive venue in town. I am sure we all wish them well with their plans to make the Arts a home for new writing in the West End.”

Next up at the theatre is the three-month long season of plays under the banner “Drama at the Arts”, comprising Out of Joint’s A Dish of Tea With Dr Johnson starring Trudi Styler (1-24 September), a revival of Frank Marcus’ The Killing of Sister George starring Meera Syal (5-29 October) and A British Subject, written by and starring Nichola McAuliffe (2-26 November).