Suchet smash not selling

THEATRE legend David Suchet might face just a handful of people when he brings a British box-office smash hit to Cork.

The news comes the day before Capital of Culture organisers launch the Cork 2005 programme in a blaze of publicity.

Theatre sources fear the poor advance ticket sales for Suchet’s week-long run in the 625-seat Everyman Palace Theatre could ruin the city’s reputation with international touring groups.

Just 500 tickets have been sold.

“Cork is a venue touring theatre companies dread. A lot of them are coming here under duress. A lot of companies side-step Cork because the risks are too great,” one source said.

Suchet leads an all-star cast in a revival of Terence Rattigan’s Man and Boy. The show is running to packed houses in Cambridge.

After its only Irish performance in Cork next week, it returns to England where advance ticket sales have already topped £80,000. As of yesterday, the Everyman (021 450 1673) had taken just €12,500 in advance bookings for the show.