"The Countess" to close early 9 July 2005

"The Countess" to close early 9 July 2005

The Countess, by Gregory Murphy, has posted early closing notices at the Criterion Theatre. The last performance will be on 9 July 2005, a run of only 5 weeks . (The show was originally booking to 17 Sep 2005)

The Countess opened at the Criterion Theatre 7 June 2005, following previews from 2 June 2005, to luke-warm notices from the popular press: NICK CURTIS for THE EVENING STANDARD says, "Poor old Nick Moran. In a bid to escape typecasting as a Lock, Stock geezer, he finds himself utterly miscast as the art critic John Ruskin in this risible mock-Victorian melodrama.." MICHAEL BILLINGTON for THE GUARDIAN says, "As the play slowly unwound, I kept wondering what Murphy felt he was adding to a moderately well-known story." SERENA DAVIES for THE DAILY TELEGRAPH says, "The play looks distinctly sub-standard. In fact, it's mediocre, undistinguished and obvious..."

The cast includes: Nick Moran (John Ruskin), Alison Pargeter (Effie), Damian O¹Hare (Millais), Gerald Harper (Mr Ruskin), Jean Boht (Mrs Ruskin ), Linda Thorson (Lady Elizabeth Eastlake), Chris Garwood, Edmund Kente, Deidra Morris.

It is directed by Ludovica Villar-Hauser, who also produced and directed the New York production.

It is designed by Jason Denvir, lighting by Doug Filomena, costumes by Christopher Lione, music by Dewey Dellay and sound by Dan Last.

In 1853, the celebrated art critic John Ruskin, his wife Effie, and the Pre-Raphaelite painter John Everett Millais depart in high spirits for the Scottish Highlands. When they return four months later, London is already beginning to whisper of the woman one man calls mad, and the other...The Countess.