Poor sales hits West End remake of Ealing comedy

The West End version of The Man In The White Suit is to close early, after struggling to sell tickets.

Stephen Mangan had been dues to star in the show until January 11 – but now producers have brought that closing date forward to December 7.

In a statement, they said: ‘Despite winning praise from audiences, sales for the show have not proved strong enough and producers have taken the difficult decision to end the run early’.

Mangan played Sidney Stratton – a post-war chemist who discovers a fabric that will never wear our. The role was originally played by Alec Guinness in the 1951 Ealing comedy.

EastEnders star Kara Tointon and The Royle Family’s Sue Johnston also had key roles in the production, which was directed by Sean Foley.

The show had received lukewarm reviews, largely receiving three stars from critics.

Michael Billington in the Guardian was one of the kinder critics. awarding three stars and praising its inventiveness and energy, while the Telegraph called it ‘diverting fluff’.

In the Sunday Times, Quentin Letts also gave three stars, saying: ‘Foley gives the story his trademark treatment: flatulent sound effects, jolly lighting, elongations of accent and focus that lend the production the slightly distorted feel of a fairground hall of mirrors.’

And in the Times, Clive Davis damned the show with a one-star review, opining: ‘It ought to be fun to watch. Instead you find yourself glancing at your watch.’

Published: 29 Oct 2019