London's Murderous Instincts Delays Previews

Murderous Instincts will now begin previews at London's Savoy Theatre on September 27, over two weeks later that originally announced. The delay allows the company extra time to work with new director Michael Rooney who is primarily known as a music video choreographer, who was brought in to replace Bob Carlton after the show's troubled Norwich tryout.

Murderous Instincts, which is being billed as a "salsa musical," centers on a family embroiled in a murder mystery. Edwina and her children are all desperate to claim their share of her late husband's estate. When she disappears, many suspect murder.

Headlined by Nichola McAuliffe, the cast also features Kevin Colson, Ben Goddard, John Capes, Simon Clark, Jonathan D. Ellis, Christopher Frampton, Sarah Ingram and Arvid Larsen.

Murderous Instincts--featuring music by Alberto Carrion and book and lyrics by Cinda Fox--was a hit when it premiered in Puerto Rico in 2002. The pre-West End mounting at the Theatre Royal in Norwich was marred by backstage drama. According to The Independent, producer Manny Fox publicly berated Carlton about a bad review before eventually firing him and McAuliffe went on the record in a Daily Mail piece detailing the many firings and hirings the production has endured. McAuliffe also warned that "the show may close before Christmas."

Despite the preview delay, Murderous Instincts is still scheduled to officially open on October 7.