Not So Magnifico

Marcel Avram’s new show “Magnifico” has collapsed after its run in Munich, Germany, leaving an estimated 30,000 ticket buyers wondering whether they’ll get the their money back.

Magnifico Circus GmbH & Co., the company behind the production, filed for insolvency at the district court in Munich July 19.

Slow ticket sales forced the euro 14.1 million show to cancel its remaining dates in Germany and Austria.

“After a promising start in February 2011 in Munich the cost of this gigantic production both before and during ongoing operations have reached dimensions that can not be covered by revenue,” Magnifico’s website explained.

It says it’s unable to tell ticket-holders what to do about getting a refund because that’s a matter for the liquidator.

Avram, who is a renowned global promoter and has produced shows by the world’s biggest acts, wasn’t available for comment at press time. His office has said he’ll make comment at the beginning of next week.

Magnifico was put together by multi-talented Austrian producer Franz André Heller, who was also artistic and cultural director of the programme which ran parallel to the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

It’s the second knock Heller’s career has taken in the last two years as “India,” promoted by Prime Time chief Matthias Hoffmann, went bust in Hamburg in February 2010.