The Fantasticks, gone too soon?

Although the show wasn’t particularly well-received (indeed, my review is one of the more positive) a couple of weeks just isn’t enough for a show to prove itself.

The cast were given their notice on Friday, and the last show will be on June 26, and although I’m generally a fairly unpleasant, uncaring sort, I feel bad for them. The cast were all pretty much spot-on, and would only get better as the run progressed. Of course, poor, unprofitable shows shouldn’t be kept alive indefinitely, but a few days really isn’t enough to make that kind of decision. Theatre history is filled with shows that received poor reviews and low audience numbers, but in time found their feet and became hugely successful.

I suppose that in this economical climate, nurturing a show like that just isn’t possible any more.

Hadley Fraser et al are professionals and will no doubt see this as just another knock from an unforgiving business, but to know that your best isn’t good enough has to be a kick in the teeth. They can take solace in the fact that the problem seems to be with the show itself, and not the cast.

Take a look at what the mainstream press said: “No amount of talent can redeem this terrible show.” (Telegraph); “What irks one about the show is its dimpled, ingratiating cuteness.” (Guardian); “This is one to forget.” (Evening Standard).

Does The Fantasticks belong in a large West End theatre? Probably not; but there is undeniably a home for it somewhere in the capital. Amon Miyamoto’s smart direction has taken a 50 year old show with a and given it the jab of adrenalin it needs to exist in the 21st century. Perhaps the problem was how rigidly he adhered to the source material, and a more radical approach to the book and the music would have been beneficial. The show’s writer, Tom Jones, has been vocal in his praise for Miyamoto’s staging, so perhaps he wouldn’t have been too opposed to a shake-up a story that feels every one of its 50 years.

What do you think? In its current form, can The Fantasticks ever replicate its US success?