Theatre News

Loserville posts early closing notices at Garrick Theatre, 5 Jan

Loserville, the new British musical by Elliot Davis and James Bourne, has posted early closing notices at the West End’s Garrick Theatre. The production will close on 5 January 2013 after a run of over three months. It had its London premiere on 17 October 2012 (previews from 1 October) and had originally been booking until 2 March 2013.  

In a statement issued to Whatsonstage.com, producers Teresa and Craig Beech said: “We are incredibly proud of Loserville. The creative team worked tirelessly to deliver an imaginative show, full of heart, which is fun for the whole family. Our young cast are immensely talented, energetic, passionate, and dedicated, delivering vibrant performances every single show. Our exceptional band consistently rocks the house. We consider ourselves extremely lucky to have them all.

“There has been quite a bit of interest expressed in the show from abroad, and we are currently in negotiations for our first overseas production, the first of, what we hope are, many to come. We would like to thank everyone that has supported the show. Fans have travelled far, with many seeing the show more than once, and for your dedication, we are eternally grateful. There are eight more weeks to see Loserville at the Garrick – come and enjoy this fun original British musical with its exuberant cast and band. Let us put a smile on your face!”

The show, which premiered at West Yorkshire Playhouse earlier this year, charts the rise of a typical American high-school nerd from 1971 as he and his sci-fi-obsessed misfit friends try to change the world from their position of insignificance.

It was inspired by Welcome to Loserville, a 2005 album by Bourne’s solo project Son of Dork. Bourne was previously a member of chart-topping group Busted. Davis and Bourne have also written the musical Out There, which was recently commissioned and staged by Youth Music Theatre UK at the Riverside Studios. Elliot also co-wrote Soho Cinders with George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, which ran at Soho Theatre earlier this year. 

Loserville stars Aaron Sidwell as Michael, Eliza Hope Bennett as Holly, Stewart Clarke as Eddie, Charlotte Harwood as Leia, Richard Lowe as Lucas, Lil’ Chris as Francis and Daniel Buckley as Marvin

The ensemble also features: Jade Albertsen, Sophie Ayers, Laura Bennett, Robbie Boyle, Matthew Bradley, Olly Buxton, Andrew Carthy, Freya Field, Daniel Hall, Lauren Hall, Ollie Hannifan, Dan Krikler, Duncan Leighton, Ashley Luke Lloyd, Megan Louch, Andy Shaw, Sarah Watson and Witney White.

The production is directed by Steven Dexter and choreographed by Nick Winston, with set by Francis O’Connor, costumes by Francis O’Connor and Stephen Snell, lighting by Howard Harrison and sound by Simon Baker.

Loserville was originally commissioned by Youth Music Theatre UK (YMT) and workshopped on one of its courses with young people drawn from across the UK. It’s produced in the West End by Kevin Wallace Limited, TC Beech Limited, West Yorkshire Playhouse and Youth Music Theatre UK.

No further productions have yet been announced for the Garrick Theatre.