"Mack & Mabel" to close early 1 July 2006

"Mack & Mabel" to close early 1 July 2006

The Watermill Theatre production of Mack & Mabel, starring David Soul & Janie Dee is to close 3 weeks early at the Criterion Theatre on 1 July 2006.

The musical opened at the Criterion Theatre 10 April 2006, following previews from 5 April - to moderate notices from the popular press: NICHOLAS DE JONGH for THE EVENING STANDARD says, "Elegantly down-sized revival." MICHAEL BILLINGTON for THE GUARDIAN says, "Not even the combined talents of Janie Dee and David Soul can lift John Doyle's simplifed staging ...above the status of a mild curiosity." CHARLES SPENCER for THE DAILY TELEGRAPH says, "It is a superbly tuneful and touching piece." BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE for THE TIMES says, "The first half is enjoyable enough, but the second seems rushed and muddled and the ending reeks of Broadway wishfulness."

Mack & Mabel music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and book by Michael Stewart.

It is directed by John Doyle.

Out of the Silent Movie era and the heady heights of 1920s Hollywood, Mack and Mabel tells the heart-wrenching love story of two of its greatest legends; director Mack Sennett, 'The King of Comedy' and creator of the Keystone Cops, and his star, comedienne Mabel Normand. When Mabel arrives on Mack's set she catches his eye and soon captures his heart. Before long she is starring in Sennett's two-reelers and together they bring magic to the silver screen. Yet ambition, dalliance and the impending threat of change make for a stormy relationship. Romance turns to jealousy while stardom foreshadows scandal and heartbreak. But despite the odds, the pair can never escape their love for each other.