London Theatre News

Theatres and arts venues in England to stay open for livestreams in lockdown

UPDATE: West End theatres are to close from 16 December, and London is now a "tier four" area. At the moment, theatres can still open for rehearsals and stream performances.Ahead of a four-week lockdown from 5 November, the government has clarified on whether theatres and arts venues can stay open throughout the period. Although live performances to an audience at the theatre will be suspended, theatres and arts venues will be allowed to stay open if they are continuing to be a place of work.In...

Shakespeare season announced for ‘The Shows Must Go On’

Updated: 23 November 2020Following "The Greats On Tour", a new season of work has been confirmed for The Shows Must Go On. The online channel will broadcast a new production written by William Shakespeare each Monday, including performances by acting greats like Patrick Stewart and David Tennant.The series begins with Being Shakespeare, available to watch from 2 November. Performed at Trafalgar Studios in 2011, Simon Callow stars in the one-man play, tracing Shakespeare's life and catalogue of...

Four new productions announced to be staged at Southwark Playhouse

UPDATE: Livestreams of Public Domain andThe Fabulist Fox Sister have now been extended, and will be available to 31 January.Following The Last Five Years at Southwark Playhouse, new shows to play at the off-West End venue have been announced. It includes a revival in "The Large", with three productions opening in "The Little" in December.Nick Payne's Constellations will be performed in "The Large" from 26 November to 19 December.* Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo and Oliver Johnstone will star in the show,...

Socially distanced ‘Cinderella’ pantomime to open at the Turbine Theatre

Following a season of theatre on a jetty, the Turbine Theatre will reopen its doors later this year. The off-West End theatre will open with Cinderella: The Socially Distanced Ball, written by Jodie Prenger and Neil Hurst.Adapting the well-known fairytale for an adult audience, Jodie Prenger and Neil Hurst's new work will premiere at the Turbine Theatre. Lizzy Connolly directs, with performances from 5 to 23 December.Rufus Hound will star in the show, previously appearing in Everybody's Talking...

How does the UK lockdown in November affect London theatres?

UPDATE: As London has been placed in tier two, all West End theatres can reopen after the national lockdown. For more information, read here.Following the news of a second lockdown in England from 5 November to 2 December, all live theatre is currently suspended. Obviously, this is deeply gutting for all West End shows and London theatres that were gearing up to open their doors once again in November.Below, we've listed all the West End shows that were either due to open in November, or were...

Andrew Lincoln to play Ebenezer Scrooge in ‘A Christmas Carol’ at the Old Vic

UPDATE: Photos added 16 DecemberAhead of livestreamed performances of A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic, full casting has been announced. Andrew Lincoln will star as Ebenezer Scrooge in the production, with performances from 12 - 24 December.Following in the footsteps of Paterson Joseph, Rhys Ifans and Griff Rhys Jones, Andrew Lincoln plays Scrooge. Best known as Rick Grimes in the AMC television series The Walking Dead, Lincoln returns to the London stage for the first time in over a decade. His...

New song released from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s forthcoming musical 'Cinderella'

A new song, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by David Zippel, has been released from the forthcoming West End musical Cinderella. "Bad Cinderella" is sung by Carrie Hope Fletcher, who takes on the title role in the show.This marks the second tune released from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella, following the September debut of a video for "Far Too Late."It has also been announced that performances of Cinderella have been postponed. The musical will now begin previews on 30 April, ahead...

Almeida Theatre announces 3 world premieres for socially distant season

UPDATE: In a tweet from the Almeida Theatre on 6 January, all performances of The Maladies and Hymn have been postponed. The theatre is looking into future dates, as well as options for live-streaming both productions.Artistic director Rupert Goold announced a new season of programming at the Almeida Theatre, which will begin over Christmas 2020 and run into 2021. The socially distant season will feature three world premieres, as well as digital screenings, the second year of the theatre's...

'Jersey Boys' to return to the West End in 2021

UPDATE: The opening date for Jersey Boys at Trafalgar Theatre has been pushed back. Performances will now begin on 2 June. Who loves you pretty baby? Jersey Boys is making its return to the UK in 2021. The Olivier and Tony-winning musical will start performances at the new Trafalgar Theatre on 14 April 2021 with opening night set for 21 April 2021. Casting will be announced at a later date. Jersey Boys tells the story of the rise of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and how their incredible...

Latest shows announced as part of The Shows Must Go On livestreams

Following all shows having been streamed as part of the "Greats on Tour" season, two new productions will be available to watch online this week. The Wind in the Willows is streaming from 2pm on 28 October, with Midnight Tango made available later in the week.Performed at the London Palladium, Rufus Hound plays Mr. Toad in the Kenneth Grahame classic, as he tries to defend Toad Hall. Created by Julian Fellowes, George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, the musical played during the summer of 2017. In a...