Ticket prices for Sigourney Weaver's West End debut in Shakespeare's The Tempest have been dramatically reduced from £231 to £85 following a series of negative reviews that have deterred theatregoers. The production, which opened on December 19 at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane, has seen over half of its most expensive tickets (priced between £169 and £231) still available for purchase as of Friday, according to The Times.
The 75-year-old actress's portrayal of Prospero has drawn criticism, contributing to half-empty auditoriums. The play, directed by Jamie Lloyd, is part of a Shakespeare season at the venue, which also includes Much Ado About Nothing starring Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell. Tickets for the latter are already selling briskly ahead of its February 10 previews.
This production marks the first time Shakespeare has been performed at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane since Sir John Gielgud played Prospero in the same play from 1957 to 1958. Theatre owner Andrew Lloyd Webber recalled that 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.' Lloyd Webber expressed determination to prove Gielgud wrong.
The Tempest runs until February 1, 2025, while Much Ado About Nothing will run from February 10 to April 5, 2025. Weaver previously expressed delight at making her West End debut in the historic theatre, while Hiddleston and Atwell have praised the opportunity to work with director Jamie Lloyd.
