Viva Forever Spice Girls Musical Is Axed

Viva Forever Spice Girls Musical Is Axed


The show based on the band's songs and written by Jennifer
Saunders is closing after just six months in the West End.


1:43pm UK,
Thursday 02 May 2013

The cast of Viva Forever! were apparently only told on
Wednesday night

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The Spice Girls musical Viva Forever! has been axed after just
six months in London's West End.

The critically-panned production, inspired by the group's songs and written
by Jennifer Saunders, will end next month.

Amid reports of a £5m loss, producer Judy Craymer - who oversaw a smash hit
by staging Mamma Mia - said it cannot continue.

Cast members were apparently stunned when they were told about the early
closure after the show ended on Wednesday night.
Victoria Beckham did not arrive with the other
Spice Girls for press night
Ms Craymer hailed the "brilliant" performers as she announced the move, which
she said had left her "with a heavy heart".

The producer said: "The show has evolved since we first opened and is now
brighter, lighter and funnier, but despite the wonderful audiences and extremely
positive feedback we just can't make it work.

"I'm so proud of everyone involved in this production. Viva Forever! may be
taking its leave for now in the West End but the legacy of Spice Girls will
never fade."

The show satirises The X Factor and is the story of an aspiring singer who
gets swept up in a TV talent show with her best friends.

The Spice Girls, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Victoria Beckham, Mel C and Mel
B - reunited in December for the opening night at the Piccadilly
Theatre.
The show was written by Jennifer Saunders (l)
and produced by Judy Craymer
There were huge pre-sales but the musical was then savaged by the critics,
who branded it "cliched" and a "prize Christmas turkey".

Alun Palmer for the Daily Mirror wrote: "You would think it would be easy to
strap the songs of one of the biggest girl groups in recent history to an
exuberant story of girl power to create a worldwide money-making machine. But
you would be wrong."

Quentin Letts for the Daily Mail added that it had "the makings of a notable
West End flop", adding: "It's almost as if the thing has a death wish."

While the Spice Girls were "full of beans, a greater force for feminism than
Harriet Harman or even Nick Clegg", the musical was "drudgy ... sour and focused
on failure", he wrote.

The Independent's Paul Taylor said it was "lacking in any true original or
challenging spark of its own".
The full Spice Girl line-up when the musical
was first announced
The Guardian's Alexis Petridis said the "cast are largely great" and that
"there's nothing really wrong with Jennifer Saunders' script".

But he added: "The real problem is the songs. There aren't enough memorable
hits in a career that lasted for three albums to support two hours of
theatre."

The Spice Girls released a joint statement thanking the cast and their fans
for their support.

"Although Viva Forever! won't continue in the West End we are thrilled that
the thousands of people who came to the show had as much fun as we did," it
said.

Bunton later tweeted: "I am totally gutted that our wonderful show
@vivaforever is coming to an end. Thank you to all our amazing fans for your
constant support.

Well, what a surprise not it was.

Iris wrote:Well, what a surprise not it was.

I would imagine Posh is not bothered, but the rest of them will feel the pinch financially. I didn't read the reviews at the time but 5 million is a LOT TO LOSE IN 6 months. None of the Spice girls have made it on their own as Singers, Posh made a Fortune with her Fashion business and David is a millionaire . At the last count they were worth £28 million.