Notwithstanding rave reviews, the post-war British comedy, Betty Blue Eyes, has become one of the first West End casualties of the global recession, with the final curtain scheduled for Saturday, 24 September 2011. Regardless of a seasoned cast, including Coronation Street’s Sarah Lancashire; award-winning performer in The League of Gentlemen, Reece Shearsmith, and a feisty animatronic pig, the West End musical has failed to attract audiences in sufficient numbers to ensure financial viability.

The black comedy, portraying the hilarious tale of a pig raised for slaughter in honour of the Royal Wedding between Princess Elizabeth and her groom, Philip Mountbatten, has been playing to half-empty houses since it debuted at London’s Novello Theatre six months ago. Influential producer and theatre impresario, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, believes ever-tightening household budgets are responsible for the poor turnout, with audiences showing a preference for the more tried and tested West End productions.

Although obviously disappointed, Mackintosh has not ruled out a timely revival sometime in the future, and with a resounding ‘thumbs up’ from a host of British tabloids including The Independent, The Guardian and The Telegraph, odds are Betty Blue Eyes will make a significant West End comeback in more favourable financial conditions!