Is the Disney juggernaut finally grinding to a halt? While High School Musical goodies filled the Christmas stockings of thousands of British children (and the occasional Guardian musicals blogger), Aussie tweens aren't so keen. The show's Sydney residence has been terminated, and the entire national tour pulled. Inevitably, the producers are blaming the credit crunch, pointing to all the Broadway and West End shows that have already closed or are scheduled to go dark in the next few months.
• The current economic climate notwithstanding, new musicals are still popping up all over. This summer, the Young Vic will be staging the premiere of the jazz-funk-reggae show Been So Long, adapted from Che Walker's straight play. Swansea will be the first home of The Thorn Birds, with book and lyrics by the novel's original author, Colleen McCullough. (No Rachel Ward or Richard Chamberlain in the cast though – the only confirmed actor so far is Helen Anker, previously seen in Beautiful and Damned.)
• Devotees of American Idol and poodle-perm power ballads – and let's face it, those of us who like musicals are highly likely to fall into one of those categories – will be excited to learn that the repertoire of Heart will be plundered for a new show. Allies, which will of course feature the classics Alone and These Dreams, gets its first reading in Manhattan later this month. No word yet on whether it'll get a full stage transfer.
• The Bridewell has announced its spring programme; first up is the UK debut of Reefer Madness, based on the 1930s anti-drugs propaganda film. The Bridewell will also host the world premiere of Clouds, based on the works of Aristophanes.
Opening this week: After what seems like months of planning and previews (and non-previews), Oliver! finally opened this week. Tickets are enormously expensive if you don't want to sit in the gods, but it sounds like Rowan Atkinson and Jodie Prenger are well worth seeing. Lowly hacks with a penchant for mocking Cameron Mackintosh aren't on the list for press passes, so while I queue for day returns, do feel free to let me know what you thought of the show.
