Channel 4 play to end run early

Maxine Peake plays the lead role in On the Third Day

The winner of Channel 4's The Play's The Thing talent search is to end its run early after playing to half-full houses for the last seven weeks.

On the Third Day, written by university lecturer Kate Betts, opened at London's New Ambassadors Theatre on 22 June and was scheduled to run until 2 September.

The play, which stars Maxine Peake from Victoria Wood's sitcom Dinner Ladies, will now close its doors on 29 July.

Producer Sonia Friedman said putting it on had been "a fascinating challenge".

"A seven-week run for a production of a new play by a first-time writer in the West End playing to audiences of 51% should be seen as an achievement," she continued.

Betts was among 2,000 hopefuls who submitted ideas for the contest, recorded in Channel 4's four-part series.

Actor Neil Pearson was a member of the panel that selected On a Clear Day from a shortlist of 30 plays.

The author said it had been "an honour" to have her play chosen.

'Truthful'

"This valuable experience will not only help me with my future writing but will, I hope, encourage, inform and stimulate other new writers."

Meanwhile, a judge in another reality show that will seek to find a female star for an upcoming West End production of The Sound of Music has responded to claims that the concept is demeaning to professional actors.

Andrew Lloyd Webber is also a judge on How Do You Solve...?

Speaking to the BBC News website, producer David Ian said the show would not "denigrate" any who audition.

"I promise I'll be truthful but I won't be setting out to ridicule anybody," he said.

"I have only treated others well at auditions and will continue to do so, on or off television."

In May, actors union Equity expressed "extreme disappointment" that the BBC and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group were pressing ahead with the show, entitled How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?

Ten finalists have already been selected for the BBC One programme, to be hosted by Graham Norton.

The Sound of Music begins previews at the London Palladium on 4 November.