I Can't Sing lasted just six weeks

Harry Hill's spoof X Factor musical I Can't Sing! is to close next month, just six weeks after opening.

The show, backed by Simon Cowell, opened at the London Palladium on March 26 after being dogged by technical problems. But it will now close on May 10 amid poor ticket sales.

Rebecca Quigley, chief executive of producers Stage Entertainment UK, said: 'We are sad to be bringing I Can't Sing! to a close but are immensely proud to have co-produced the show.

'The West End can be an unpredictable place as the closure of a number of high profile productions recently has shown. I Can't Sing! has had audiences on their feet night after night, four and five-star reviews from the critics and an amazing company and creative team, but it seems that isn't always enough.

'To open any big musical, and particularly a brand new British musical comedy at the London Palladium, is no mean feat and hundreds of dedicated people have played a part in bringing this unique and wonderful show to the stage. I thank every one of those people and the audiences who have come to see the production.'

People who have already bought tickets for later than 10 May have been told to contact the company that sold the tickets for refunds.

In an magazine interview last month, Cowell joked that I Can't Sing would have to last longer than the Spice Girls musical Viva Forever! to be considered a success... but even that maligned show, written by Jennifer Saunders, lasted seven months.

Hill wrote the show with composer Steve Brown – aka Glenn Ponder in the Alan Partridge show Knowing Me, Knowing You and a long-term collaborator with comedians.

It is the second setback for Hill after deciding to quit TV Burp to work on other projects. The Harry Hill Movie was released to poor reviews in December, taking £2.5million at the box office.

Of the West End flop, Nigel Hall, of Cowell's Syco Entertainment, added: 'From the moment Harry Hill and Steve Brown told us their idea for I Can’t Sing! we knew this was going to be a fun project. Alongside Stage Entertainment we’d like to thank the cast and crew who have worked so hard on this show. To everyone involved in I Can’t Sing! I’d like to say a huge thanks and the very best of luck with their next venture.'

The show starred Nigel Harman as Simon and featured stand-up Charlie Baker in the role of Hunchback.

Published: 27 Apr 2014