Theatre

‘We were the biggest show ever to play the West End. There are 226 people on the payroll. We’re a luxury item. If a show is that expensive, it needs to play to high-percentage audience figures if it’s to play above what we call ‘the break’. For every five people who came through our door, if a sixth had come with them, we would not have needed to close. We wanted to continue at Drury Lane, we had the part of Gandalf on offer to a big American star. We were expecting a 20% spike in audiences after that casting was confirmed. But it was not to be. Our agenda and that of our landlord were not the same. So we have to accept that and move on.

‘But we’re not badly out of pocket. The show was always a medium-to long-term investment. We’re still talking about the future. The epic version is about to move to Germany. But not every market could take that huge Vegas version we’ve had in the West End. We’re looking at a more flexible version for New Zealand, Australia and the Far East.

‘From an artistic point of view, I consider this show to be very successful. We’re not arrogant enough to say that what’s on stage in London is perfect. [Director] Matthew Warchus is planning changes for the Germany production. But in the longer term, our ambition is to bring the more flexible version back to the UK and ultimately into the West End. The show will survive and it will be back in London.’

‘The Lord of the Rings’ is playing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

See listings for all West End musicals.
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