"Murderous Instincts" closes 16 Oct 2004 after only only 3 weeks at Savoy

"Murderous Instincts" closes 16 Oct 2004 after only only 3 weeks at Savoy

The troubled production of Murderous Instincts has posted closing notices at the Savoy theatre for 16 Oct 2004. It would have played for only 3 weeks, previewing from 27 Sep 2004, with an opening night on 7 Oct 2004.

Even before the show arrived in the West End following a tour, it had sackings and walk-outs, and seen off several directors, while Nichola McAuliffe, the leading lady, publicly described rehearsals as "a motorway pile-up" and the first week of previews were cancelled.

The show received poor notices from the popular press: PAUL TAYLOR for THE INDEPENDENT says,"Knock back a few mojitos first and you could end up having a ball. "SAM MARLOWE for THE TIMES says, "It's crude, predictable, and not sufficiently melodramatic or daft to entertain even in the most superficial way." LYN GARDNER for THE OBSERVER says, "Thoughts turn not to murder but to suicide during this misbegotten musical ." KIERON QUIRKE for TIME OUT says, "Thi sterrible show makes for strangely easy viewing." PETER HEPPLE for THE STAGE says, "It is a case of predictability meeting banality."

The cast includes: Nichola McAuliffe (Edwina), Kevin Colson (Adolfo), Ben Goddard (Juan), John Capes (Reed), Simon Clark (Tweedman), Jonathan D Ellis (Miguel), Christopher Frampton (Christopher), Sarah Ingram (Felicia), Arvid Larsen (Colin) and Natalie O Donnell (Lauren)

It has a Salsa score by Peurto Rican composer Alberto Carrion, with book and lyrics by Cinda Fox. Choreography by Jhesus Aponte, designed by Dinah England, lighting by Matthew Eagland, sound by Rick Clarke, produced by Manny Fox.

Edwina, the glamorous widow of the late rum tycoon, Bradford Buckingham, awaits the arrival of her grown-up children in the wake of their father's death at the palatial family estate in Puerto Rico. They are all desperate to claim their share of the multimillioninheritance - but the family reunion soon collapses into turmoil when Edwina disappears... Has she been murdered and if so, who did it? Almost everyone around her has a secret to hide - and who is the mysterious stranger hanging round the gates of the estate? Before the mystery is solved, love, fear and greed bring out everyone's Murderous Instincts.