Shortest Running musicals of the last Decade

As we move into the new decade, we thought we'd look back at the past 10 years of theatre. Some of the most memorable theatrical moments of the decade were some of the less successful shows. We looked back and picked out some of the shortest musical runs of the past 10 years, excluding shows that played and fulfilled limited runs, we looked at shows that closed early. So take a look! Do any of these shows deserve revivals? Tweet us and tell us your favourite one! 

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

This musical started life in the UK with a try-out at the Leicester Curve in early 2011 before opening at the Gielgud Theatre in London's West End on the 5th March 2011 with a cast that included Joanna Riding, Carly Bawden, Andrew Durand, Dominic Marsh, Meow Meow and Cynthia Erivo. The show closed on the 21 May 2011, making the run just over two months long.

Lend Me a Tenor

The musical, based on the play of the same name, played an out of town try out in Plymouth in 2010 before opening at the Gielgud Theatre in Londons West End on the 2 June 2011 with a cast that included Cassidy Janson, Matthew Kelly, Joanna Riding, Michael Matus, Damian Humbley, and Sophie-Louise Dann. The show closed on the 6 August, making the run just over 2 months.

Minimal vs Actual art work!

Inspired by our feature last week, we thought it may be interesting to compare the Minimal Musical designs against some of the real designs used by the shows. Do you prefer the alternative version? Tweet us which one is your favourite, or if you like a particular design from a different production of the show then share that too! 

Cabaret 

2012 London revival vs Minimal Musicals 

FULL CAST announced for West End transfer of URINETOWN

Simon Paisley Day (Musketeers, Doctor Who, Titanic, Sherlock, Spartacus, Being Human) will be reprising his critically-acclaimed role as the tyrannical Caldwell B. Cladwell, the machiavellian Head of UGC (Urine Good Company) in the West End transfer of Jamie Lloyd's ground breaking, splash hit production of URINETOWN The Musical.

Returning to the show after its sell out season at The St James Theatre, rising star Matthew Seadon-Young will be taking on a new role, as Bobby Strong, Urinetown's most unlikely hero, alongside BBC's The Voice star Nathan Amziwho will be playing the role of Officer Barrel.

Further cast announced today for Urinetown The Musical are Alasdair Buchan (Swing), Christina Modestou(Swing), Kane Oliver Parry (Robbie The Stockfish) and Vicky Lee Taylor (Swing).

Jenna Russell, Marc Elliot and Jonathan Singer return to West End transfer of URINETOWN

Jenna Russell will lead the cast of the West End transfer of Urinetown when it opens at the Apollo Theatre in September.

The musical theatre star will reprise her role of Penelope Pennywise from the St James Theatre run in Jamie Lloyd's production.

Richard Fleeshman will not return to the show, citing 'other commitments' on Twitter, but he wished it every success.

Many of the other cast members from the St James will return, including RSC actor Jonathan Slinger who plays Officer Lockstock and Eastenders' Marc Elliott who plays Mr McQueen.

URINETOWN the musical will transfer to the Apollo Theatre

Urinetown is transferring to the West End's Apollo Theatre later this year, it has been confirmed.

The musical, which is directed by Jamie Lloyd, received its UK premiere at the St James Theatre in March. It will run at the Apollo from 29 September.

Written by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis, Urinetown is set in a Gotham-like city of the future, where a hero leads the people in an uprising against private toilets.

Director Lloyd's other current West End productions are The Commitments and the upcoming Richard III, as part of his new season at Trafalgar Studios.