This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2013/jun/25/viva-forever-spice-girls-emma-bunton

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Emma Bunton defends Spice Girls musical ahead of last performance Emma Bunton defends Spice Girls musical ahead of last performance
(3 months later)
With less than a week of Viva Forever!'s West End run remaining, Emma Bunton has suggested that critics didn't give the show a chance, since the Spice Girls "always get a backlash".With less than a week of Viva Forever!'s West End run remaining, Emma Bunton has suggested that critics didn't give the show a chance, since the Spice Girls "always get a backlash".
Viva Forever!, which will have its last performance on Saturday, received a raft of terrible reviews when it opened in December. Producer Judy Craymer announced its early closure six months later, an announcement that Bunton said was "heartbreaking".Viva Forever!, which will have its last performance on Saturday, received a raft of terrible reviews when it opened in December. Producer Judy Craymer announced its early closure six months later, an announcement that Bunton said was "heartbreaking".
"It's a great show," she told The Sun. "OK, at the start the cast needed to get used to it and they needed a few things changing, but now it is just brilliant. We couldn't get past people being a bit negative and that is a shame."It's a great show," she told The Sun. "OK, at the start the cast needed to get used to it and they needed a few things changing, but now it is just brilliant. We couldn't get past people being a bit negative and that is a shame.
"The Spice Girls always get a backlash, but we fight our side and actually it is good now. We just didn't have that chance [to continue].""The Spice Girls always get a backlash, but we fight our side and actually it is good now. We just didn't have that chance [to continue]."
Bunton is the second band member to question the musical's negative reviews. Last month, Geri Halliwell wrote in her blog: "I can hand on heart tell it's not shit."Bunton is the second band member to question the musical's negative reviews. Last month, Geri Halliwell wrote in her blog: "I can hand on heart tell it's not shit."
Jennifer Saunders, who wrote the musical's book, and Craymer had previously dismissed the negative reviews as irrelevant. In February, the producer told the Evening Standard: "The critics were always going to give us a hard time," while Saunders added that "middle-aged men" were not Viva Forever!'s target demographic.Jennifer Saunders, who wrote the musical's book, and Craymer had previously dismissed the negative reviews as irrelevant. In February, the producer told the Evening Standard: "The critics were always going to give us a hard time," while Saunders added that "middle-aged men" were not Viva Forever!'s target demographic.
Bunton also testified to the show's redeeming qualities: "Every night I have been, people are dancing and singing along. It is such a fun night out."Bunton also testified to the show's redeeming qualities: "Every night I have been, people are dancing and singing along. It is such a fun night out."
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.