Ticket prices for Sigourney Weaver’s West End debut in Shakespeare’s The Tempest have been slashed after a string of bad reviews apparently put theatregoers off.
The cost of watching the play at at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane has been dramatically slashed from £231 to just £85.
A spate of bad reviews in part focused on 75-year-old Weaver’s turn as Prospero.
On Friday, over half of the theatre’s most spenny tickets that cost between £169 to £231 were still available.
Half-empty auditoriums were visible on the website until end of the production on February 1, according to The Times.
Meanwhile, the most expensive tickets for Much Ado About Nothing are already being sold before its opening on February 10.
The Tempest’s December opening was the first time Shakespeare had been performed in the Theatre Royal Drury Lane since Sir John Gielgud had performed as Prospero in same play from 1957-58.
The building’s owner, Andrew Lloyd Webber, said at the final performance in 1958, Gielgud ‘broke Prospero’s staff and pronounced that Shakespeare would never again be performed at the Theatre Royal as it would be ‘lost to musicals’.’
Oliver Ryan, Jamie Lloyd, Jude Akuwudike, Forbes Masson, Mathew Horne, Mason Alexander Park, Sigourney Weaver, Selina Cadell, Tim Steed, Mara Huf, James Phoon and Jason Barnett
Sigourney Weaver made her West End debut as Prospero in the new production of William Shakespeare’s play The Tempest (pictured in May)
Lloyd Webber said that he is ‘determined to prove him [Gielgud] wrong’.
Sigourney Weaver made her West End debut as Prospero in the new production of The Tempest while Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell star in Much Ado About Nothing.
The two plays are part of a season of Shakespeare by The Jamie Lloyd Company at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
They are the first plays by the Bard to be staged at the theatre since Peter Brook’s production of The Tempest starring John Gielgud in 1957.
Alien actress Sigourney, 74, plays the storm-creating magician Prospero in the new staging of the Shakespeare classic The Tempest, in a role typically played by a man.
The production opened on December 19, with previews from December 7, and run until February 1 2025.
She said previously: ‘I am delighted to be making my West End debut in Shakespeare’s The Tempest directed by the brilliant Jamie Lloyd – and to do so in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s beautiful and historic Theatre Royal Drury Lane is an extraordinary opportunity. Come and see us!’
Tom, 43, and Hayley, 42, will play sparring enemies-to-lovers Benedick and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing, which will open on February 19, with previews from February 10, and running until April 5 2025.
While Tom Hiddleston (pictured in May) stars in Much Ado About Nothing alongside Hayley Atwell as part of a season of Shakespeare by The Jamie Lloyd Company
Loki star Tom said: ‘Working with Jamie Lloyd on Harold Pinter’s Betrayal was one of the most fulfilling and meaningful experiences of my performing life.’
‘I could not be more thrilled to have been given the opportunity to collaborate with him again, this time on one of Shakespeare’s most warm-hearted and joyful plays: Much Ado About Nothing.’
‘It’s an honour to have been invited by Andrew Lloyd Webber to bring Shakespeare back to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, in a season alongside Sigourney Weaver in The Tempest, and to be working with the great Hayley Atwell for the first time.’
Captain America actress Hayley added: ‘I am thrilled to be joining Jamie Lloyd’s company for the third time in my career.’
‘His bold and electric direction, combined with the warmth and wit of one of Shakespeare’s most celebrated comedic duos is a truly exciting opportunity and one that I hope will delight our audiences.’
Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, who owns the theatre, said: ‘When I was nine years old I was taken to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane to see Peter Brook’s legendary production of The Tempest with John Gielgud as Prospero.’
‘It made a profound impression on me. At the final performance, Gielgud broke Prospero’s staff and pronounced that Shakespeare would never again be performed at the Theatre Royal as it would be ‘lost to musicals’.
‘Ever since I owned the Theatre Royal I have been determined to prove him wrong. It is therefore a massive joy that Jamie Lloyd is bringing back Shakespeare to the Lane and even more wonderful that the first of two Shakespeare plays will be The Tempest.’
It comes after David Tennant and Cush Jumbo’s Macbeth was cancelled for the third night running, with the cancellation being announced just two hours before the show was due to start.
The Shakespearean play, which was being shown at the Harold Pinter theatre in London’s West End, was forced to close its doors due to ‘company illness’.
Fans shared their fury over the last-minute announcement, with many stating how far they had travelled to see the play.
Ticket holders said they wished the cast a speedy recovery but wanted the announcement earlier in the day before spending money on travel and food.
David Tennant (pictured) and Cush Jumbo’s Macbeth was cancelled for three nights running, with the latest cancellation being announced just two hours before the show was due to start
The Harold Pinter X account announced on November 1 that the show’s evening performance would not be going ahead
The Harold Pinter X account first announced on November 1 that the show’s evening performance would not be going ahead.
The next three shows – two on Saturday and one on Monday night – were also eventually cancelled, as the social media account apologised and thanked ticket holders for their understanding.
The post read: ‘Unfortunately due to company sickness the performance of Macbeth tonight has been cancelled.
‘Your ticket provider will be in contact with you in the next few days regarding your tickets. We’re very sorry and thank you for understanding.’
Reporting that fans were most recently alerted just two hours before the show was due to start, one person said: ‘Meanwhile, in London, UK, the entire company (including David Tennant) of Macbeth is ill & forced cancellation of 4 consecutive performances just hours prior to their curtain call.’
