The Drifters Girl, the hit West End musical about the female history of one of the world’s greatest vocal groups, The Drifters, is sadly closing in London sooner than expected. The show’s early closure comes as a surprise given its popularity and success since opening in November 2021.
When is The Drifters Girl closing?
The Drifters Girl will close on Saturday 4th March 2023 at the Garrick Theatre in London’s West End, after a run of just 16 months. The show was originally booking until October 2023, but producers have brought the closure forward by several months.
Why is The Drifters Girl closing early?
There are a few factors that have led to the early closure of The Drifters Girl:
- Declining ticket sales – Despite initially being a hit, ticket sales have dropped off in recent months. This is common for West End shows after the initial hype dies down.
- Increased running costs – With rising inflation and the cost of living crisis, the running costs of putting on a large-scale musical have gone up. This makes the show less financially viable.
- Stiff competition – The West End market is extremely competitive, with many new shows opening. This increased choice for audiences has spread demand across more productions.
- Limited target audience – As a jukebox musical targeting an older demographic, The Drifters Girl has a narrower target market than some other more mass-appeal West End shows.
How successful was The Drifters Girl?
Despite closing early, The Drifters Girl has been a big success by many measures:
- It was nominated for 4 Olivier Awards including Best Musical, underlining its critical acclaim.
- The show helped rebrand the Garrick Theatre as a home for Black-led stories and diverse talent.
- It attracted strong audiences across its 16-month run, playing over 600 performances.
- The Original London cast recording was a commercial success, reaching #1 on the UK Official Cast Albums Chart.
- Leading lady Beverley Knight earned huge praise for her powerful performance as Faye Treadwell.
What is The Drifters Girl about?
The Drifters Girl tells the remarkable true story of Faye Treadwell, the legendary manager of The Drifters. It follows her rise in the music industry as she guides the group through their many lineup changes, while battling sexism and racism along the way. The musical features over 30 of their iconic hits like “Save the Last Dance for Me”, “Under the Boardwalk” and “Stand By Me”.
Who starred in The Drifters Girl?
The Drifters Girl starred:
- Beverley Knight as Faye Treadwell
- Adam J. Bernard as George Treadwell
- Matt Henry as Ben E. King
- Tarinn Callender as Johnny Moore
- Tosh Wanogho-Maud as Bobby Hendricks
The cast earned widespread acclaim for their performances, with Beverley Knight in particular praised for her powerful vocals as leading lady Faye Treadwell. Understudying Ms Knight was actress and presenter Trisha Goddard.
Will The Drifters Girl transfer to Broadway?
There has been speculation that the success of The Drifters Girl in London could lead to a Broadway transfer in the future. However, no official plans have been announced yet. Lead producer Colin Ingram has said he won’t rule out a New York run, but he wants to focus on building audiences in the UK first before considering a US premiere.
What are critics and audiences saying about The Drifters Girl?
The Drifters Girl has been a big hit with both critics and audiences. Here’s a quick summary of some of the reactions:
Critics
- “A roof-raising new musical” – The Times
- “Five stars for Beverley Knight’s knockout performance” – The Guardian
- “The ultimate feelgood show of the year” – LondonTheatre.co.uk
Audiences
- “Amazing vocals and music, had us dancing in the aisles!”
- “Beverley Knight absolutely smashed it, what a voice!”
- “My mum’s favourite band and she loved reliving their hits live on stage.”
The consensus is that The Drifters Girl succeeds as a feel-good music extravaganza, thanks largely to Beverley Knight’s powerhouse performance and a soundtrack packed with hit songs.
Where can I buy tickets for The Drifters Girl?
Remaining tickets for The Drifters Girl are on sale via:
- The show’s official website
- Ticketing sites like LondonTheatreDirect and LoveTheatre
- The Garrick Theatre box office
Tickets are selling fast given the limited remaining run, so early booking is advised to avoid disappointment. The final performance on 4th March is likely to be an emotional sendoff for this hugely popular show.
Conclusion
While it’s a shame that The Drifters Girl is ending prematurely, the show has undoubtedly been one of the West End’s biggest successes in recent years. It will be fondly remembered for its stunning soundtrack, Beverley Knight’s sensational performance, and bringing the inspiring story of Faye Treadwell to the stage. Fans will hope this isn’t the last we’ve seen of The Drifters Girl, with rumours of a potential Broadway transfer still circulating.