The producers of Waitress have announced that the West End production at the Adelphi Theatre has closed. The multi-award-winning Broadway transfer had been originally booking until 4 July 2020, with Lucie Jones and David Hunter returning to the lead roles of Jenna and Dr Pomatter on 23 March.
NEWS: Theatre industry issues statement on Government aid for self-employed
A week after the UK Government announced its package for workers on the payroll, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has announced an economic relief package for self-employed workers and freelancers.
NEWS: RSC & Marquee TV announce online ’watch along’ of Twelfth Night to mark World Theatre Day
To mark World Theatre Day (Friday 27 March 2020), the Royal Shakespeare Company is inviting people to join a live ‘watch along’ from their living rooms on 11 April of a recording of their 2017 production of Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night, featuring Adrian Edmondson as Malvolio and Kara Tointon as Olivia.
NEWS: National Theatre will stream NT Live productions for free via YouTube
A selection of much-loved National Theatre Live productions will be made available to watch on YouTube for free over the next two months.
NEWS: Olivier Awards’ Greatest Moments will be celebrated in special TV & radio programmes
ITV will broadcast a special Olivier Awards with Mastercard programme on 5 April 2020 at 10:15pm, in place of the 2020 Royal Albert Hall awards show which was cancelled due to coronavirus.
NEWS: Online videos of Original Theatre Company’s The Habit of Art and The Croft to be released
In light of the closure of theatres across the UK due to COVID-19, the Original Theatre Company’s productions of Alan Bennett’s The Habit Of Art and Ali Milles’ The Croft, both of which were touring the UK, will now each have an online launch performance.
NEWS: Headlong & Century Films announce major new digital series of short plays
Award-winning theatre company Headlong, in association with the BAFTA-winning Century Films, have announced Unprecedented: Real Time Theatre From a State of Isolation, a major new digital project, bringing together celebrated playwrights to create a series of short digital plays, as a response to the current global crisis.
NEWS: Drew McOnie & the McOnie Company launch a Digital Dance Season
The McOnie Company has launched the first offerings as part of its Digital Dance Season. Hosted on the company’s social media channels, the season aims to connect the dance community and encourage collaboration during this period of social distancing and self isolation.
NEWS: Hampstead Theatre will stream its hit production of I and You starring Maisie Williams
Hampstead Theatre is releasing its hit production of I and You by Lauren Gunderson on Instagram for free for a week from 23 March at 10am to 29 March at 10pm.
NEWS: Artists come together for new collective All the Web’s a Stage
Theatre Together, a new collective of over 50 artists and professionals, have announced All the Web’s a Stage, an online event featuring a variety of live performances to raise money for those in the arts facing hardship as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
NEWS: SOLT issues update for West End theatre ticketholders
A statement has been issued by the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) on behalf of the major commercial West End theatre operators and the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) to provide clear information for theatre customers in light of this week’s shutdown and help ease the unprecedented strain on box offices and ticket agents.
NEWS: Thriller Live leaves the West End after record-breaking run
Following the closure of all West End theatres due to the Coronavirus outbreak, producers today announced that Thriller Live performed its last Moonwalk at the Lyric theatre on 15 March 2020 – the 4657th West End performance.
NEWS: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s new musical 101 Dalmatians is postponed until 2021
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre have today announced that, in light of government advice restricting non-essential contact with others in relation to the coronavirus pandemic, their new musical, 101 Dalmatians will be postponed and will now open the 2021 season.
‘There’s going to be some great theatre on the other side’: Old Vic’s Matthew Warchus on ‘social distancing’ & the postponement of 4000 Miles
As London’s Old Vic Theatre closes, artistic director Matthew Warchus sends the message: “Take care of yourselves and each other. Be creative. There’s going to be some great theatre on the other side.”
NEWS: SOLT & UK Theatre bring together leading theatrical charities as part of pan-industry support effort
SOLT and UK Theatre held an urgent meeting of leading theatrical charities on Monday 16 March 2020 to discuss ways to provide support for members of the theatre workforce – both on and offstage – affected by the unprecedented coronavirus situation.
NEWS: The Habit of Art starring Matthew Kelly will be filmed in a closed performance for download
In light of the most recent government advice due to COVID-19, The Original Theatre Company’s production of Alan Bennett’s The Habit of Art, which was due to open at Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne on 18 March 2020, will now perform a closed filmed performance on the same day 2pm.
NEWS: The 2020 Olivier Awards are cancelled
This year’s Olivier Awards with Mastercard, which were due to place on 5 April 2020 at the Royal Albert Hall, have been cancelled.
NEWS: Coronavirus pandemic – An update on theatre closures in the West End & across the country
My Theatre Mates have been collecting official announcements of theatre closures up and down the country in the Twitter thread below and will continue to add updates as they come in.
NEWS: West End & UK theatres to close with immediate effect
In light of the continued coronavirus emergency and advice from Prime Minister Boris Johnson that people should avoid “pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues” during the pandemic, SOLT and UK Theatre has announced that member venues will close from the evening of Monday 16 March 2020.
NEWS: Finborough postpones Hockey Mom & Women Without Men runs during coronavirus crisis
Amongst the rising tide of news about closures due to the coronavirus pandemic, London’s Finborough Theatre has postponed two of its forthcoming fortieth-anniversary-year productions, which had been due to run from this month until the end of July.