Last London Show

[htcpt]

According to a post on this Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/3697032 ... 5/?fref=nf, the cast were told yesterday at 19:00, half an hour before the press release.
What a way to have to start a performance!
Something quite drastic must have happened very recently to set off this chain of events!

[Barry Appleby]

I was at the theatre last night we where told that the theatre refurbishment has to go ahead, as soon as possible now that the new building next door is well on its way being finished, also I suppose they are looking ahead for the opening of the new Tube station. I can tell you we felt so sorry for the staff and the cast, Oh! what a Christmas present they don't deserve, they looked very glum and shocked when leaving the theatre, yet again you can't fault them, like true pros they are!!, they produced a brilliant show, some of them have been there since the show started, its like breaking up a family
I am not sure about building regulations, for alterations, regarding listed buildings, but maybe if you delay after a period, you might have to re apply.

[tzwicky]

Don't forget to rebook your room reservations wherever they might be in London.

tzwicky

[PLuto]

For me it is also very sad news that BETM will finish in London so early.

But I have another point of view. In these days I was thinking about planning and buying tickets for next year, sometimes around later April or May. Thanks god I didnt do it! It is not only about money for tickets, which should be refunded, but for me it is about flight tickets, accomodation and other expences, which are finally much higher than ticket prices.

So now it is time to change plans and organise new trip in different date...

[jtsw1]

So no bright and warm and sunny Billython in May for me. I had booked B15 for 5 (five!) shows. Now I'm left with worse B-row-seats in a week in dark and cold March (and with 100 euro less for the flight I had already booked...).

Well, shit happens. Hopefully the refund will work out fine at least... and I'm looking forward to seeing the show in Edinburgh and (probably) Dublin!

[artful amy]

"And please, Billy, know that I will always be proud to have known you..."

Hi all, sorry I haven't posted in a while but I wanted to come here and join in both the collective celebration of the outstanding run this show has had, and sadness for the closing announcement. Last month I returned to London for the first time in nearly decade (quite belatedly!) and I saw the show on Thursday evening November 19th with the masterful Nat Sweeney as Billy. That was my 2nd time seeing the show in London and my 6th overall (including 3 Broadway and 1 Patchogue) and the show was as fresh, emotional and energetic as ever.

I was afraid this news was eventually coming, between the filming of Billy Live! and subsequent home entertainment release (I was concerned they were archiving the show for a reason, but I'm very glad it is so beautifully captured), Delfont Mackintosh purchasing the VPT, the 2016 UK touring production being announced, and last month having personal difficulty even finding the theatre after exiting Victoria Station navigating through the construction site that now surrounds the VPT.

In retrospect, I wonder, could the producers have been testing the UK reception and turnout for the Billy Live! screenings as a means to determine if a UK tour could be well-received and successful so that the show could continue somehow in the UK after being evicted from the VPT?

The press release states that the show "will play its final performance at the Victoria Palace Theatre" but I'm holding out hope for the show to return to the West End in the not-too-distant future. I doubt it will return to the VPT as it now owned by Delfont Mackintosh and would likely only host shows that are produced by Cameron Mackintosh, but another theatre either deep enough below the stage to accommodate the house set, or modified similarly to the Imperial Theatre in New York.

Does anyone else find it bittersweet that the original production (let's call it the "first West End mounting" in hopes that there will be more!) will run to be the age of Billy, 11 years?

[angelenroute]

Nice to hear from you again!

Does anyone else find it bittersweet that the original production (let's call it the "first West End mounting" in hopes that there will be more!) will run to be the age of Billy, 11 years?

^ Very artful of you, amy! And beautifully said.

[BEF]

Now the icon of April 9th is gone on the booking page,
Is there any chance to get the tickets for general sale

[Todd]

Now the icon of April 9th is gone on the booking page,
Is there any chance to get the tickets for general sale

I called the theatre this morning to inquire about purchasing tickets for April 9 and they said tickets were not currently being sold for the two shows that day, but to check back frequently as the date approaches since he said there could be some seats released for sale to the general public.

In short, this April 9 closing is a big lump of coal in the Christmas stocking, since I figured the show would be going until at least December of next year after they put the block of tickets on sale awhile back up to that date. It also probably changes my summer travel plans, as I had hoped to visit there in June and see several performances then.

[jen]

Thinking that there won't be many tickets available to the final show one wet Saturday afternoon in Jan or Feb I plan to get a ticket so I will have at least one final viewing