London Drowsy Chaperone to Close August 4 After Two-Month Run

The London production of the Broadway hit The Drowsy Chaperone has posted a closing notice to end its run on August 4, 2007 at the Novello Theatre. The show opened on June 7 following previews from May 14 and stars Elaine Paige as The Drowsy Chaperone, Summer Strallen as Janet van de Graaff and, starting July 10, Steve Pemberton as Man in Chair. Original Broadway star and co-author Bob Martin leaves the role of Man in Chair on July 7.

In a statement announcing the closure, co-producer Kevin McCollum stated, "We are incredibly proud of The Drowsy Chaperone which we have seen grow from a 30 minute vignette into a multi award-winning Broadway musical. London ticket sales for our show have been slower than needed to sustain a longer run at the Novello. Whilst regrettably having made the decision to close the show we are pleased to have brought this wonderfully original new musical to the West End with a first class company who have brought to life a production we are incredibly proud of."

The show continues to run at Broadway's Marquis Theatre, where it opened on May 1, 2006. A North American tour will begin in Toronto in September, and international companies are also currently being prepared for Japan and Australia.