VPT Being Refurbished for a Return of Mary Poppins?

[porschesrule]

Someone on the theatre forum has raised the question of whether the Victoria Palace Theatre is being refurbished for a return of Mary Poppins to the West End.

http://www.theatreforum.com/index.php?/ ... atre-2015/

[OliverWaters]

Nooo Billy should stay there forever!

[kport]

Nooo Billy should stay there forever!

Even The Black and White Minstrel Show did not last there forever (12 years).

[kport]

This subject is not new:

Mackintosh has ambitious plans to significantly improve the 1,500 seat Victoria Palace Theatre. The theatre will close for around twelve months from autumn 2016, to tie in with surrounding redevelopment work. The stage will be extended by six metres, the front of house enlarged and completely overhauled and the auditorium and exterior restored to its full glory.

Comprehensive details may be found here, including Press Statements from Sir Cameron MacIntosh, and the Producers of BETM.

http://www.westendframe.com/2014/05/sir ... -over.html

[LiamM]

It is clear that the VPT is to be renovated. If BETM moves to a new theatre, it stands to reason that it would not move back once the renovations are completed. Why uproot again? So, a renovated VPT would open with something else and that could be Mary Poppins.

[OliverWaters]

It is clear that the VPT is to be renovated. If BETM moves to a new theatre, it stands to reason that it would not move back once the renovations are completed. Why uproot again? So, a renovated VPT would open with something else and that could be Mary Poppins.

Unless it tours for a year and returns to a shiny new stage?

[kport]

It is clear that the VPT is to be renovated. If BETM moves to a new theatre, it stands to reason that it would not move back once the renovations are completed. Why uproot again? So, a renovated VPT would open with something else and that could be Mary Poppins.

The current musical Mary Poppins is a stage production of Cameron Mackintosh. BETM is not. It makes sense for The Practically Perfect One to fly into the refurbished VPT.

[kport]

It is clear that the VPT is to be renovated. If BETM moves to a new theatre, it stands to reason that it would not move back once the renovations are completed. Why uproot again? So, a renovated VPT would open with something else and that could be Mary Poppins.

Unless it tours for a year and returns to a shiny new stage?

A Tour might end the Billy House, and other expensive arrangements for the training of Billys, Michaels and other minor cast. Once gone, it would be unlikely to be restarted. Best it continues, and the venue changes in London.

A Tour could quite easily rely upon those trained up through the Billy House routine, but in time they will outgrow the roles, as is happening in the States.

To keep BETM going in London, it is best it moves to another theatre rather than go on Tour. Perhaps it can take a leaf from B T McNicholl's innovative adaptations seen recently at Ogunquit, and change things. And revamp the scenery. After 10+ years, even a Bentley needs a bit of freshening up.

Here is an idea: when it closes at the VPT, move it to a large regional theatre within reasonable commuting range from the West End (The Mayflower at Southampton would be ideal) for a month, and tweak it 'regionally', prior to a gala relaunch, somewhere in the West End.

[angelenroute]

Here is an idea: when it closes at the VPT, move it to a large regional theatre within reasonable commuting range from the West End (The Mayflower at Southampton would be ideal) for a month, and tweak it 'regionally', prior to a gala relaunch, somewhere in the West End.

I have extended family in the Southampton area (Totton), and stayed there the one and only (and first) time I saw Billy in London, so that would work for me.

Sean

[kport]

The Mayflower is an amazing theatre, and well suited to host BETM for an interregnum.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayflower_Theatre

Look at it this way: for decades, the Boat Train linked London with the great passenger liners arriving in Southampton. There is a strong link between Southampton, and London, and this idea could work.

'Mayflower' is not a coincidence. For Americans, it is the port the Mayflower set sail from. Plymouth was a mere way station en route. There is a memorial in Southampton, at the docks, acknowledging this.