Beetlejuice the musical announces early West End closure despite wowing critics

Beetlejuice the musical has announced it is ending earlier than expected, bringing its closure from April 2027 to January 2027. The production, based on Tim Burton’s cult 1988 gothic-comedy film, follows teenager Lydia Deetz as she moves into a new home with her father that’s haunted by the havoc-causing ghost, Beetlejuice. The West End show received similar praise from other outlets including The Guardian and Time Out at the time. However, while the musical was originally set to run until next spring, a new final performance date has been set at the Prince Edward Theatre for January 3, 2027.Beetlejuice opened in London after three runs on Broadway and a North American tour.David Hunter as Adam Maitland, David Fynn as Beetlejuice and Chelsea Halfpenny as Barbara MaitlandJohan PerssonThe show features music and lyrics by Eddie Perfect and a book by Scott Brown and Anthony King, with Alex Timbers serving as director.David Flynn plays Beetlejuice ,with Tom Xander as the alternate Beetlejuice, Hannah Nordberg as Lydia Deetz and Daisy Harrison as the alternate Lydia. David Hunter and Chelsea Halfpenny play Adam and Barbara Maitland, while Alasdair Harvey stars as Charles Deetz.Summer Strallen plays Delia until November 2, with Aimie Atkinson then taking over the role.The Standard’s Nick Curtis said in his review earlier this year: “Scott Brown and Anthony King’s stage version evokes Burton’s tone and style and replicates many of the film’s iconic moments (including the ‘Banana Boat Song possession scene’ - IYKYK). “The new stuff it brings to the table are Eddie Perfect’s polished musical numbers, which neatly distill emotion and unpack narrative. And a freewheeling, grandstanding performance from David Fynn in the title role.”David Fynn as Beetlejuice and Hannah Nordberg as Lydia DeetzJohan PerssonBeetlejuice the musical is based on the Academy Award-winning film Beetlejuice, with story by Michael McDowell and Larry Wilson. Read MoreThe hit comedy starred Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O’Hara, and Winona Ryder.The musical opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre in 2019 and again at the Marquis Theatre in 2022, playing 679 shows in total.The first national US tour wrapped an 88-city tour with a final Broadway resurrection at the Palace Theatre last year. It has also played internationally in Tokyo, Seoul, Melbourne, and Abu Dhabi.