'Passion Play' has been cancelled

Roundabout Theatre Company's new Broadway production of Peter Nichols' drama Passion Play, which was to be directed by Mark Brokaw and open in May at the American Airlines Theatre has been cancelled and replaced by Somerset Maugham's The Constant Wife.

There has been no official announcement, but no doubt thd cancallation comes as a result of the long run of Reginald Rose's Twelve Angry Men, which was initially to have closed on the 9 Dec 2004, but due to success at the Box Office has extended six times, and will now not close until the 8 May 2005 .

Synopsis: Passion Play tells the story of Eleanor and James, a middle-aged couple whose happy marriage is suddenly blown apart by infidelity. Is this an opportunity for them to take a fresh look at their lives or will it lead to heartbreak and loneliness?

The only details confirmed for the play was that it was to be directed by Mark Brokaw, the cast and the artistic team was never announced.

Roundabout Theatre Company has a long association with Peter Nichols having twice staged 'A Day in the Death of Joe Egg', the 2002-2003 production starring Eddie Izzard and Victoria Hamilton and the 1984-1985 production starring Jim Dale and Stockard Channing. Roundabout also staged a production of 'Privates on Parade' in 1988-1989 starring Jim Dale, Simon Jones, Donna Murphy and John Curry.

In 1981, Londons Royal Shakespeare Company originally produced Peter Nichols' 'Passion Play'. The original Broadway production, titled 'Passion', opened at the Longacre Theatre on the 15 May, 1983 starring Frank Langella.

Playwright Peter Nichols other plays include 'A Day in the Death of Joe Egg', 'The National Health' , 'Forget-me-not Lane', 'Chez Nous', 'The Freeway', 'Privates on Parade', 'Born in the Gardens', 'Passion Play', 'Poppy', 'A Piece of My Mind', 'Blue Murder', 'Nicholodeon'.

Mark Brokaw (Director) recently directed 'Reckless' (MTC), which starred Mary-Louise Parker, at the Biltmore in 2004.