but moved on to open at the National Theatre in 2003.
It opened in the West End later that year and the producers hope to take it to Broadway next year.
Despite its controversial content it has won four best musical awards, including an Olivier award. When it opened in the West End it had advance box office sales of £2million.
It has also had productions in 60 cities and is watched by an average of 12,000 theatregoers a night. Springer himself has no connection with the musical. It was dreamed up by comedian Stewart Lee and his co-writer Richard Thomas.
Springer's programme, which has ceased production, was itself mired in controversy and was often reprimanded by watchdogs for its sordid content and fights.
The programme's host is now hoping to pursue a political career. BBC2's other highlights next year include a fly- on-the-wall documentary following Tory leader Michael Howard and his former rival Ann Widdecombe turns agony aunt for a trouble-shooting series called The Ann Widdecombe Project.
The Office star Martin Freeman returns in a new sitcom, The Robinsons, playing the black sheep of a London family while Pakistani Nights is a series of documentaries about what it means to be Pakistani in modern Britain.
