Gone with the Wind show to close

Danesh received a standing ovation on the show's opening night

West End musical Gone with the Wind will close later this month after only 79 performances, it has been announced.

The production, starring Pop Idol contestant Darius Danesh as Rhett Butler, opened in April and was widely panned by critics for being too long.

Producer Aldo Scrofani said despite the bad reviews the show had received praise from "audience members".

The show, which lasts for three hours and 40 minutes, will complete its run at the New London Theatre on 14 June.

'Critical response'

All patrons with tickets for later show should contact the original point of sale for full refunds.

Jill Paice plays the female lead Scarlett O'Hara in the muscial.

US writer Margaret Martin adapted it for the stage from Margaret Mitchell's epic novel about the American Civil War.

From the beginning of our journey we have all worked hard to achieve the realisation of putting Margaret Mitchell's classic novel on stage Aldo Scrofani, producer

Scrofani said: "From the beginning of our journey we have all worked hard to achieve the realisation of putting Margaret Mitchell's classic novel on stage.

"Despite the critical response the company have enjoyed much praise from audience members during our run and for that we are grateful.

"Nevertheless we have made the difficult decision to close the production."

He added that plans for a New York production of the show were on hold, "but in the meantime we are pursuing various options that have been presented to us from interested parties worldwide".