Shakespeare in Love Sets West End Closing Date; Is It Still Broadway-Aimed?

You will never age for me, nor fade, nor die. London's Shakespeare in Love, after previously announcing it would shutter in April, has set its last performance for April 18 at the Noël Coward Theatre. At time of closing, the acclaimed show will have played more than 330 performances since its premiere in 2014. Adapted from the hit 1998 film by Tony winner Lee Hall and helmed by Olivier winner Declan Donnellan, the play currently stars Orlando James and Eve Ponsonby. No word yet on whether the production is still Broadway-aimed.

Set in London during the late 16th century, Shakespeare in Love centers on young playwright William Shakespeare, who is struggling with his latest work Romeo and Ethel the Pirate's Daughter. A great fan of Shakespeare's plays is young, wealthy Viola who is about to be married to the cold-hearted Lord Wessex, but constantly dreams of becoming an actress. Women were not allowed to act on stage at that time, but, dressed up as a boy, Viola successfully auditions for the part of Romeo. Soon she and William are caught in a forbidden romance that provides rich inspiration for his play.

The movie, penned by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard and directed by John Madden, won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Original Score, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress for Gwyneth Paltrow and Best Supporting Actress for Judi Dench. Shakespeare in Love also starred Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush and Tom Wilkinson.