'Private Lives,' Noel Coward Play, To Close Early Amid Slow Sales

NEW YORK (Associated Press) -- The revival of Noel Coward's "Private Lives" is ending its run several weeks early.

The play, which stars Kim Cattrall and Paul Gross, began previews on Nov. 6 and intended to run through Feb. 5. But producers, citing poor ticket sales, said Tuesday that it will close on Dec. 31.

The play, first performed in 1930, is the tale of a divorced couple who discover they have adjoining rooms while honeymooning with their new spouses and rekindle their romance.

The latest production had a successful run in London, which led to a stint in Toronto before Broadway. Though reviews were strong, the show was losing money.

Last week, it took in $327,173 at the box office from a potential haul of $854,405. Attendance also was around 54 percent.

"Venus in Fur," on the other hand, extended its Broadway run this week. The Manhattan Theatre Club said Monday that Walter Bobbie's play starring Tony Award nominee Nina Arianda and Emmy Award nominee Hugh Dancy will transfer to Broadway's Lyceum Theatre in February and run until June.

Comments

[Skyhawk]

01:07 AM on 12/18/2011

Maybe it needed more accidents like Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark.

[cloudmaker]

09:07 AM on 12/17/2011

Of course it's bombed. How can wit and sophistication survive in the new Broadway of musicalized B movies, Disney crap, and special effects superheros?

[Hardyman1966]

10:53 PM on 12/15/2011

I will always be grateful that my parents took me to the Wilshire Theater in Beverly Hills in 1983 to see Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton perform this.  It was the ultimate in casting.

[migwar]

12:03 PM on 12/15/2011

I'm glad I bought a ticket - through TDF - for a date in December. Based on the clips, the acting is terrible [fake British accents and bad line readings] in the first scene; a bit over-the-top, but passable in the second scene; and the singing is lovely in the third scene. On the whole, I'm looking forward to it. I LOVE the songs , plays and quips of Noel Coward.

[HC says]

06:18 AM on 12/15/2011

Cheney's fault.

[HC says]

06:14 AM on 12/15/2011

I don't agree with the use of the word "forced" in the lead page headline. No one is forcing them to close. They stars can keep performing this play. he theatre owner isn't shutting down the theatre. The owners of the intellectual property aren't suddenly demanding their words never be repeated. Losign money shouldn't be a basis for closing a play. I am sure the performers and prdducers support OWS and are within the 1%, so why kill jobs on a whim? Let the play go on and support all those jobs.

[Just a passerby]

07:19 PM on 12/18/2011

pound sand.

[HC says]

09:08 PM on 12/18/2011

Are you saying they WERE forced to close the play. You need to explain your reply better.

[Greenblue]

10:56 PM on 12/14/2011

She will always be gorgeous and sexy.. Love seeing her on screen and wish her well:)

[chas52man]

07:40 PM on 12/14/2011

Washed up old women don't draw like they used to!

[twoshoes4u]

04:31 PM on 12/14/2011

You had your 15 minutes! Step aside.

[rimedblg]

04:28 PM on 12/14/2011

i saw this play the other day. it was great, and she was great. this has more to say about the outrageous price of tickets rather than the quality of the show. i also saw Follies and that theatre was half empty too.

[DickRay Schliep]

02:16 PM on 12/14/2011

Kim Cattrall you are a class act,.DO NOT let this discourage you. You are a great actress and Hollywood should jump on the chance to star you in a great role.

[HC says]

06:15 AM on 12/15/2011

I am sure several in Hollywood have jumped on Kim Cattrall.

[FlipMode]

12:07 PM on 12/15/2011

Relax. That was a character she played on SaTC.

[fletcheragency]

01:43 PM on 12/14/2011

Thank you Mr. Bush and your regime for running this country into the ground. Now pieces like this great play can't even survive. You've killed culture in this country for a long time now, Shame on all of you. Like all of the arts, we will survive and regain our enriching soul strength back!

[Guardian Weasel]

04:12 PM on 12/14/2011

While I'm hardly a supporter of W, even I would be hard pressed to blame him for the lack of box-office muscle associated with a Noel Coward comedy of manners from 1930 starring the sarcastic cougar from Sex in the City.

[chas52man]

07:40 PM on 12/14/2011

Wake up out there. Bush hasn't been in office for over 3 YEARS.. its obama and his thieving party doing the damage now.

[ObservorA1]

11:55 AM on 12/14/2011

I don't believe audiences today are acquainted with the wit and brilliance of Noel Coward. Kim is a wonderful actress - forget her "Sex And The City" turn. Years ago she did a very good job in "Whose Life Is It Anyway." Paul Gross, not too familiar with him, but from the cjip, has the character down pat. Hope this production gets a reprieve.

Saw the much talked about Taylor-Burton revival years ago, which turned out to be pure camp.

[TSHURAH DOVE]

11:47 AM on 12/14/2011

I've seen this place on Broadway and it's actually entertaining. she received a standing ovation when it ended. fact of the matter is with people buckling down on spending and it being the holiday season, who's going to spend over $100 to see Kim Catrall in a play? other issue, I've never seen any advertisements for this play, so how do people know it's in production? In the city you'll see tons of ads for Spider Man or Lion King or Mary Poppins... I havent seen anything. I found out about it from someone else.

[curious-yellow]

12:11 PM on 12/14/2011

Why do some plays have to close because they'll NOT bringing in the BIG BUCKS? Why not lower prices and play to the people that DO come in? Does this mean the play can't go to Off Broadway?

[TSHURAH DOVE]

12:26 PM on 12/14/2011

i guess it should have started off broadway....maybe it would have had a better chance of surviving a little longer

[ObservorA1]

11:47 AM on 12/14/2011

I don't think today's audiences are familiar with the wit and brilliance of Noel Coward's dialogue. From the clip, Kim surprised me - in a good way-with her Amanda. Paul Gross appears to be a B'way find. Hope he will do more. I saw the Taylor-Burton revival years ago and it turned out to be pure camp.