Curtain falls early on cut-price opera

The National Theatre led the way and soon highculture at low prices was the arts trend of the year.

Now comes the first sign that audiences might not be so keen.

The impresario Raymond Gubbay will today announce his Savoy Opera company is cancelling all productions after 19 June due to poor ticket sales.

By limiting its top price to £49.50 - more than £20 cheaper than the ENO - Mr Gubbay hoped to fill the 1,100-seat Savoy Theatre-But today he says: "The opening season of The Barber Of Seville and The Marriage Of Figaro will run as planned until 19 June. However, ticket sales are not sufficient to continue beyond then."

Evening Standard and Classic FM are media partners of the Savoy Opera. The National Theatre's £10 Travelex Season sold out and the Royal Opera House is following suit.