Update for West End theatre audiences

Statement from the Society of London Theatre (SOLT)

LONDON–London’s West End looks forward to welcoming audiences back into theatres as soon as performances can safely resume.

To give our customers some clarity, we have been cancelling performances across the West End on a rolling basis, in line with the latest advice from the Government.

We are now extending those cancellations until Sunday 28 June.

This does not mean theatres will reopen on 29 June; if further cancellations are necessary they will continue to be announced on a rolling basis. Different theatres and productions are likely to reopen at different times.

Ticketholders for affected performances do not need to do anything. They will be contacted by the organisation from which they bought their tickets to arrange a refund, credit note or exchange for a later date.

We are grateful to customers for the patience they are showing during this challenging time for our industry. With 300,000 people visiting West End theatres in a normal week, it’s a major undertaking to process refunds, exchanges and credit notes, particularly when many staff are working remotely. Please rest assured that we are all working as quickly as we can and we appreciate the on-going support of our audiences.

 

Society of London Theatre (SOLT) is a not-for-profit organisation representing the London theatre industry. SOLT runs the Olivier Awards, West End LIVE, TKTS, Theatre Tokens, Kids Week, the New Year Sale and Official London Theatre.

 

 

Factsheet on West End closures

from the Society of London Theatre (SOLT)

 

Cancelled performances

  • West End performances are now cancelled until at least 28 June.
  • These cancellations have been agreed across London’s commercial theatres on a rolling basis, in line with government advice.
  • Based on individual circumstances, some theatres have chosen to cancel performances beyond 28 June and many are not taking new bookings over the summer.
  • In difficult circumstances, venues are currently working with thousands of customers enquiries. Ticketholders are asked to do nothing for the moment – venues and ticket agents will contact customers directly to process refunds, exchanges and credit notes as soon as possible.
  • Further guidance about the industry’s future plans will be shared when this is available. Separate announcements related to specific productions may be made by venues or production teams.
  • Official London Theatre’s website has detailed information about upcoming live streams, online activities and other content from theatres and shows during this shutdown: https://officiallondontheatre.com/get-your-theatre-fix/
  • The decisions to reopen theatres will be made based on government and scientific advice on gatherings and events. Different theatres and productions are likely to reopen at different times.

 

Facts and figures on London’s West End

  • Under normal circumstances, the annual London theatre audience is over 15.3 million (2019 data).
  • In 2019, 18,364 performances took place across London’s theatres, bringing in £799m in box office revenue and generating £133m in VAT payments for the UK Treasury.
  • There are several companies which own and operate multiple West End theatres, and these companies will often make announcements which apply to all shows in their venues. Independent theatres may also make statements relating only to their venue.
  • The main venue groups are:
    • ​Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG)
    • Delfont Mackintosh Theatres
    • LW Theatres
    • Nederlander Theatres
    • Nimax Theatres
  • The independent theatres in the West End include:
    • Arts Theatre
    • Criterion Theatre
    • London County Hall
    • Shaftesbury Theatre
    • Theatre Royal Haymarket
    • Troubadour Wembley Park