Queen musical to close in London

The show incorporates Queen's best-known hits

Queen musical We Will Rock You is to close in London after more than four years on the West End stage.

Ben Elton's hit show will bow out on 7 October 2006. It will then embark on a lengthy national tour.

"At last provincial audiences will get a true rock extravaganza," said producer Phil McIntyre.

We Will Rock You opened at London's Dominion Theatre in May 2002, and has played in countries including US, Australia and Japan.

Final performance

"You can expect us to visit every major city over the next couple of years", said one of the show's producers.

New overseas productions are set to open in South Africa and Italy later this year.

The £7.5m production weaves in lyrics and characters from some of the British band's best-known hits, including Bohemian Rhapsody, Radio Ga Ga and I Want To Break Free.

By its final performance, the West End show will have attracted an audience of more than 3 million. It is expected to return to London following the national tour.