Viva's not Forever: Spice Girls musical to close

The Spice Girls musical Viva Forever! is to close after around six months in the West End.

The show, inspired by the group's songs and put together by Mamma Mia!'s Judy Craymer and written by Jennifer Saunders, will end with a final performance on June 29.

Craymer said: "It is with a heavy heart that we've had to make this very difficult decision to post closing notices for this original show which is blessed with one of the most brilliant casts currently on the West End stage.

"We set out to create a contemporary story that truly reflects our time; to take a satirical look at the underbelly of a TV talent show and the chaos that ensues for a mother, her daughter and their friends; a theatrical event to embrace all generations both on and off the stage.

"Testament to that achievement is the standing ovation at every performance from an audience of families and friends all enjoying a great night out.

"The show has evolved since we first opened and is now brighter, lighter and funnier, but despite the wonderful audiences and extremely positive feedback we just can't make it work.

"I'm so proud of everyone involved in this production. Viva Forever! may be taking its leave for now in the West End, but the legacy of Spice Girls will never fade."

The band - Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Victoria Beckham, Mel C and Mel B - reunited in December for the opening night of Viva Forever at the Piccadilly Theatre.

They said: "We want to thank the cast and all the fans for their support, and although Viva Forever! won't continue in the West End we are thrilled that the thousands of people who came to the show had as much fun as we did."

 

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.