Broadway's Eric and Ern tribute to close

The Morecambe and Wise homage The Play What I Wrote is to close on Broadway.

The play had been rejigged for US audiences unfamiliar with Eric and Ern to concentrate on the tensions inherent in a double act.

But it failed to perform as well as its London run, leading to the decision to bring the curtain down this Saturday.

It had been in line for a prestigious Tony award last weekend, which could have helped boost ticket sales, but lost out to Def Poetry Jam for special theatrical event.

The $2million show, directed by Kenneth Branagh and starring The Right Size double act of Hamish McColl and Sean Foley, had attracted decent reviews and a parade of top-name guest stars including Roger Moore, Glenn Close and Jeff Goldblum.

But it was not enough, so the play will now end its run at the Lyceum Theatre after 27 previews and 89 performances.

Published: 11 Jun 2003