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London (dpa) - The latest play by US playwright Arthur Miller was prematurely pulled from the London stage Sunday following withering critical reviews.
The audience in the renowned Old Vic Theatre gave leading actor Maximilain Schell and the whole ensemble a rousing round of applause when the final curtain fell late Saturday.
Miller's Resurrection Blues, a grotesque piece about the commercial cannibalization of the planned crucifixion of a Jesus-like rebel, was originally scheduled to run until April 22.
Even before the play's London premiere at the beginning of March, some British papers had already torn the theatre production by Hollywood director Robert Altman to pieces.
Following falling audience numbers, US star Kevin Spacey was asked to resign from the Old Vic's board of directors. The Oscar winner (American Beauty), who took over artistic direction at the 200-year- old theatre in 2004, rejected the call.
In light of the harsh criticism, Spacey told the BBC that he was "more determined than ever" to complete his 10-year contract in London.
Copyright 2006 dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
