London's Murderous Instincts to Close Oct. 16
Murderous Instincts, which is 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.
The show had a rocky road to the West End. The musical, which features 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 husband of Cinda Fox publicly berated director Bob Carlton about a bad review and star Nichola McAuliffe went on the record in a Daily Mail piece detailing the many firings and hirings the production has endured. Carlton was replaced with Michael Rooney who is primarily known as a music video choreographer and previews at the Savoy were delayed for two weeks.
The show officially opened on October 7 to mostly negative reviews. Nicholas de Jongh of The Evening Standard wrote: "Nichola McAuliffe, the bright star of this ghastly salsa musical, has already likened its rehearsal period to a motorway pileup. After exposure to the flamboyant ineptitude and boredom of Murderous Instincts, a show from which several directors resigned or were luckily sacked, I ought to say this musical has all the allure of a smash hit: a hit of the kind when several unroadworthy vehicles collide on a wild drive to West End glory… It is Cinda, who has unfortunately written two more musicals, on whom the flaming coals of blame should be heaped. Alberto Carrion's music does not linger in the mind, but at least it maintains a pulsating dynamism and jollity, even though such moods conflict with the prevailing angst."
Headlined by McAuliffe, the cast also features Kevin Colson, Ben Goddard, John Capes, Simon Clark, Jonathan D. Ellis, Christopher Frampton, Sarah Ingram and Arvid Larsen.