The Woman in White to Close in London on February 25

Following a successful London run of 19 months, the hit musical "THE WOMAN IN WHITE" will close at the Palace Theatre on Saturday 25 February. "THE WOMAN IN WHITE", which opened triumphantly on Broadway last November, where it continues to be a success, will undertake a one-year major national UK tour, which will open in January 2007 in Milton Keynes. There are plans to bring the show back to London in re-conceived production, either before or after the national tour.

Producer Sonia Friedman said, "I am very proud to have produced "The Woman in White". A completely new musical is a rarity these days and, as is so often the case with Andrew Lloyd Webber's work, "The Woman in White" was a groundbreaking piece of musical storytelling and was also at the forefront of pioneering new technology with its innovative design.

The musical has given enormous pleasure to hundreds of thousands of people during its tenure at the Palace and Andrew Lloyd Webber's glorious score - without doubt one of his greatest and most romantic - has been hailed by critics and audiences across the world as his best since "Phantom".

It is soon to be the end of the road for the show at the Palace Theatre, however, it is certainly not the end of the road for "The Woman in White". The Broadway production continues its successful run and I look forward to announcing plans for the re-conceived show in another London theatre and our full UK touring dates in due course".

Yvette Robinson will star as 'Marian' from Monday 6 February, replacing Ruthie Henshall, who leaves at the end of her contract on 4 February. Yvette Robinson has starred in many musicals in her native Australia, including "Starlight Express", "Les Misèrables", "Beauty and the Beast", "Miss Saigon", "My Fair Lady" and "Evita". David Burt will continue to star as 'Count Fosco', with Damian Humbley and Alexandra Silber playing 'Walter Hartright' and 'Laura Fairlie'. Elinor Collett plays 'Anne Catherick' (aka 'the Woman in White'), Michael Cormick plays 'Sir Percival Glyde', with Edward Petherbridge as 'Mr Fairlie'. Yvette Robinson will be the third London 'Marian', whilst David Burt is the fifth London 'Count Fosco'.

"THE WOMAN IN WHITE", now in its second triumphant London year, is a gripping tale of love, betrayal and greed. Walter Hartright's life is changed forever after a chance encounter with a mysterious woman, dressed in white, desperate to reveal her chilling secret. When he takes up his position as drawing master to the beautiful Laura Fairlie and her half-sister, Marian, he sees in Laura's face an eerie reflection of the forlorn creature he previously met. Walter and Laura's feelings for each other are thwarted by her engagement to the sinister Sir Percival Glyde. What is the connection between Laura, Sir Percival and the woman in white? Is Sir Percival's friend Count Fosco, with his unusual taste for white mice and poison, really as charming and well-meaning as he seems? Can true love prevail? Wilkie Collins's "THE WOMAN IN WHITE" was one of the most influential and successful Victorian novels and quickly became a phenomenon. Since its publication in 1860, it has never been out of print and generations of readers have been thrilled by its suspense and excitement.

"THE WOMAN IN WHITE", which opened in August 2004 at the Palace Theatre, is produced in London by Sonia Friedman Productions and The Really Useful Theatre Company.

"THE WOMAN IN WHITE" is currently booking until 25 February 2006. Performance times are Mondays-Saturdays at 7.30pm, with Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets, priced from £15.00-£50.00, are available from the Palace Theatre Box Office on 0870 895 5579.