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2 March 2007
Fuessen, Germany (dpa) – An opulent musical show about Mad King Ludwig of Bavaria has gone bankrupt after being ignored by most tourists visiting Germany’s fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle.
Executives confirmed Friday that the Ludwig 2 musical, last staged in November to half-empty houses before a winter break, would not be resuming March 30 and the Neuschwanstein theatre, which seats almost 2,000, was up for sale.
Every year 2 million tourists visit Neuschwanstein, the white castle on a rocky crag that is one of Europe’s top attractions.
Most visitors stop by for only a couple of hours. Few bothered to book for the evening musical and stay the night at a local hotel, as tourism boosters had hoped. A first musical 2000-2003 about Ludwig ended in a loss. Ludwig 2 began last year and has met the same fate.
Critics said the theatre in the town of Fuessen was too big and the spectacular show starring US actress Geraldine Chaplin only appealed to German-speaking tourists who understood the lyrics.
Alfons Zeller, chairman of the Allgaeu Tourism Association, said he was appalled that about 100 singers and other staff would go unpaid. The main shareholder in the 20-million-euro (26-million- dollar) failed venture was not available for comment.
King Ludwig II drowned on June 13, 1886 after diverting tax revenues to build Neuschwanstein Castle and other pleasure homes modelled on great palaces and castles in history. The castle now belongs to the state government of Bavaria.
DPA
Subject: German news