London's Jailhouse Rock Scraps Transfer to Shutter on April 23
Jailhouse Rock - The Musical, which is based on the hit Jailhouse Rock film, began performances at the Piccadilly Theatre on March 26. The plot centers on Vince Everett played by Elvis Presley impersonator Mario Kombou, a young man serving a one-year jail sentence for manslaughter. While in prison, his cellmate introduces him to the music business and helps him learn to play the guitar. When Everett is released, he becomes a big rock 'n' roll star, but he may not be able to hold on to the friends that got him there. Rob Bettinson, who wrote the stage Jailhouse Rock with Alan Janes, serves as the director.
When it officially opened in the West End, the musical was greeted with mostly negative reviews. Ian Johns of The London Times wrote: "The songs are seldom given a dramatic edge, becoming solid gold-tour belters. Bettinson and Janes would be better off turning the singalong finale into one long rock 'n' roll party. It would make a more honest show. As it is, before the first song is over, you feel that Elvis has already left the building."
The Piccadilly already has its next tenant--the Donmar Warehouse production of Guys and Dolls, starring Ewan McGregor, will begin previews there on May 19.