‘No one ever wants to close a show early’: Paul Taylor-Mills speaks out on Cake’s curtailed run

Like everyone else, Musicals was saddened to hear that Cake: The Marie Antoinette Playlist had curtailed its stint at The Other Palace before it had even begun. Originally planned to run from 24 September to 10 November, the pop-infused show (music by Jack MacManus and Tasha Taylor-Johnson) starring Zizi Strallen, Renée Lamb and Millie O’Connell was, it was announced on 18 September, closing early – on 29 September.

Musicals had planned a review of the show in the November issue, and we interview Zizi Strallen in our ‘Backstage With’ feature in the October issue, on sale this week. In the interview, Strallen says she is ‘having a ridiculous amount of fun’ playing opposite Renée Lamb, and praised the garage-heavy music with its Craig David and Becky Hill influences. ‘It’s very current and the lyrics are so clever, timely and heartbreaking.’

Paul Taylor-Mills, artistic director both of The Other Palace and The Turbine Theatre, is widely respected for his bold vision for Musical Theatre, thanks in part to his annual MTFest which showcases new work. As Cake began its one-week run, he made the following statement on social media:

‘Today was meant to mark the beginning of a seven-year journey that was Cake. The world had a different plan. No one ever wants to close a show early. It's brutally humbling. When things don't go as planned our instinct is finding someone to blame. The fear of being that person is truly crippling. Making new work has become harder and harder and each time it doesn't go to plan it takes a bit more from you. Knowing that the next time you've got to dig even deeper and find a bit more fire. I'm devastated we're closing earlier than anticipated. But I'm proud I tried. My biggest fear isn't failing. It's looking back and wishing I'd have been braver. It's often in these moments where we learn the most about ourselves and I'm looking forward to having the space to do so. Go see this brilliant show this week. Hundreds of people have poured their hearts and souls into it and no one is more gutted that its curtain has come down earlier than we hoped than me.’

For tickets to Cake at The Other Palace until 29 September, visit theotherpalace.co.uk; you can listen to the studio cast recording on Spotify and Apple Music