There's more bad news for Simon Cowell and "X Factor."
Less than three months after Fox canceled the U.S. edition of Cowell's singing competition comes word that I Can't Sing, the Cowell-backed musical parody of the show, will end its run in London's West End after only six weeks.
In an announcement on the show's website and on Twitter, producers Stage Entertainment and Cowell's Syco Entertainment said the musical will play its final performance on May 10. The show had received generally positive reviews, but according to reports, London's Palladium was struggling to fill seats and offering heavily discounted tickets.
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"We are sad to be bringing 'I Can’t Sing!' to a close but are immensely proud to have co-produced the show," said Rebecca Quigley, CEO of Stage Entertainment U.K. "The West End can be an unpredictable place as the closure of a number of high-profile productions recently has shown. 'I Can’t Sing!' has had audiences on their feet night after night, four and five star reviews from the critics and an amazing company and creative team, but it seems that isn’t always enough."
"To open any big musical, and particularly a brand new British musical comedy at the London Palladium, is no mean feat," she continued. "Hundreds of dedicated people have played a part in bringing this unique and wonderful show to the stage. I thank every one of those people and the audiences who have come to see the production."
Written by comedian Harry Hill and composer Steve Brown, I Can't Sing! was directed by Sean Foley, a double winner at the Olivier Awards, the British version of the Tony Awards.
Added Syco's Nigel Hall: "From the moment Harry Hill and Steve Brown told us their idea for 'I Can’t Sing!' we knew this was going to be a fun project. Alongside Stage Entertainment we’d like to thank the cast and crew who have worked so hard on this show. To everyone at Really Useful Theatres and the ever supportive staff at the London Palladium, and everyone involved in 'I Can’t Sing!' I’d like to say a huge thanks and the very best of luck with their next venture."
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The show "goes behind the microphone and under the judges’ desk to reveal the (not necessarily accurate) story of heartache and laughter that keeps millions tuning in every week," the companies said when announcing the musical last year.
Ticket holders with seats booked for after May 10 have been asked to contact their ticket sellers regarding refunds.