The producers of Gallic musical The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg have announced that the show will close on 21 May due to economic reasons. The production, which opened two weeks ago, had been booking to October.
Based on Jacques Demy and Michel Legrand’s story which was immortalised by Catherine Deneuve in the iconic 1964 film, the colourful stage adaptation was produced by Cornish touring theatre company Kneehigh Theatre. Well known for its unique style and elaborate staging, the company’s first foray into the West End in 2008 resulted in the hugely successful Brief Encounter.
Directed by Kneehigh Theatre’s Artistic Director Emma Rice, The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg opened at the Gielgud theatre on 22 March with Official London Theatre describing it as “packed to its French gills with signature Kneehigh touches that add a layer of glitter to even the most mundane of moments.”
Daniel Sparrow, producer of the show, said: “Together with my co-producing team, we are immensely proud to have brought our production of The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg to the West End following its run in Leicester earlier this year. However despite consistently positive audience responses, for economic reasons we are having to close earlier than anticipated. To have worked with Emma Rice, Kneehigh, our hugely talented creative team, cast and company has been a privilege and as producers, our on-going ambition to bring fresh, innovative and original work to the West End will continue to be pursued.”
Starring Joanna Riding and Meow Meow, alongside newcomers Carly Bawden and Andrew Durand, The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg is set in a French umbrella shop in the 1960s. When 17-year-old Geneviève Emery has to say goodbye to her lover Guy Fouchier as he leaves for war, she is left to face a heartbreaking decision about her future when she finds herself pregnant and offered a life of security by an older, wealthy diamond merchant.
A sung-through musical, the production includes songs I Will Wait For You and Watch What Happens, as well as cabaret star Meow Meow’s French number Sans Toi which was written especially for her role as the narrator, Maîtresse.
The producers have stated that this closure does not mark the end of the production, with plans for a UK tour and international productions currently being discussed.
CM