Maggie Smith - Mackintosh's Betty Blue Eyes To Close In The West End

Betty Blue Eyes is the stage adaptation of the 1984 movie, which tells the tale of a small town raising a pig to slaughter in honour of the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten, now Britain's monarch and consort.

Critics hailed the production as a triumph, but the acclaim failed to get people in seats and theatre impresario Sir Cameron MACkintosh has decided to close the musical next month (Sep11).

He says, "I am enormously proud of Betty. I know she will eventually have her day and another life.

"It is very curious. After such amazing reviews and positive word of mouth, no-one knows the real reason why Betty couldn't find a bigger audience.

"We have been consistently playing to just over 50 per cent, but it just isn't enough to cover the costs. Of course I am disappointed, but I'm not despondent."