The show must go on: Theatres prepare to reopen

Wicked returns to London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre on the 15th of September 2021.

As theatres prepare to reopen this month, we take a look at what’s coming up and what group deals are available for shows this summer.

Royal Albert Hall to reopen on 29th May

Royal Albert Hall prepares for its 150th anniversary.

The Royal Albert Hall is preparing to celebrate its 150th anniversary from Saturday 29th May, as audiences are invited to return to the venue for socially distanced events. The venue will open with a family concert, Albert’s Band: Back with a Bang, followed by the Messiah with the Royal Choral Society (30th May), A Country Night In Nashville (1st June), and the British Ballet Charity Gala (3rd June), hosted by Darcey Bussell. Only 1,000 tickets will be available for each of the shows, which is 20% of the venue’s usual capacity.

“This has been the toughest period in the Hall’s 150-year history – and not how we ever imagined marking this remarkable milestone. But we are so excited about getting back to doing what we do best, and can’t wait to welcome audiences to the Hall to help us celebrate this anniversary in style.” Craig Hassall, Chief Executive of the Royal Albert Hall.

The Hall will then reopen to the public with full capacity from 6th July with a show from James Blunt. Followed by Carmina Burana (7th July), Fauré’s Requiem from Scratch (11th July) and a Films in Concert presentation of Superman (16th July).

Visit the Royal Albert Hall website for more details on the full schedule for 2021.

Northern Ballet returns to touring this June

The Northern Ballet returns with a limited three-venue tour.

The Northern Ballet will be returning with a limited three-venue tour to Salford, London and Leeds this summer. This will be the first time that the company has been able to perform outside of their home city of Leeds since November 2019.

The tour starts at The Lowry in Salford from 1st – 5th June 2021, with a revival of David Nixon OBE’s Dangerous Liaisons. Followed by performances at Sadler’s Wells in London from 8th – 10th June 2021.

Also at Sadler’s Wells, from 11th – 12th June 2021 will be a performance of Contemporary Cuts 2021, a mixed programme of contemporary and modern ballet works. To close the season, the company will return home to Leeds Grand Theatre for performances of David Nixon OBE’s Swan Lake. Visit the website for details on tickets.

Wilton’s Music Hall summer season announced

The hall has recently installed brand-new customised seats and improved acoustics.

The world’s oldest surviving grand music hall, Wilton’s Music Hall plans to open its doors once again on 28th May 2021 for a specially programmed summer season of theatre, music, opera and spoken word from a number of prestigious production companies.

All the intimate shows will run straight through without an interval and with a seating capacity of just over 100, effectively giving you an exclusive performance. The hall has recently installed brand-new customised seats and improved acoustics that will significantly enhance the live experience.

This summer’s diverse programme of live performances includes Scaramouche Jones, Morgan & West’s Fantastic Family Magic Spectacular, and Curtain Raisers: a double bill with Cox and Box by Arthur Sullivan and Les Deux Aveugles by Offenbach.

Musical shows include Black Is The Colour of My Voice, inspired by the life of Nina Simone; Christine Bovill’s PIAF, which pays homage to one of France’s most endearing icons; and Tom Carradine’s ‘London Songbook’, which explores the history and culture of London from the music hall to the modern-day. Tickets are available now, visit www.wiltons.org.uk for more details.

SIX the Musical reopens this May

SIX will be one of the first shows to reopen in London.

SIX the Musical is set to be one of the first to reopen this year with its first performance planned for Friday 21st May 2021 at London’s Lyric Theatre.

The show will have a socially distanced limited season and the venue will operate at 50% capacity, similar to shows in December 2020. Tickets are on sale now.

The producers have assured that dates will be adjusted accordingly should the government roadmap dates change at all.

Revised plans for the UK tour have also been announced, with the first performance starting on Tuesday 8th June 2021 at Marlowe Theatre Canterbury, and will run through 2021 and 2022. Visit the website for more information on venues and ticket availability.

Wicked returns to the West End

Wicked returns to London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre on the 15th of September 2021.

The Tony & Olivier Award-winning show Wicked returns to London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre on the 15th September 2021, supporting the area’s cultural recovery.

Wicked will play Tuesday to Saturday evening performances at 7.30 pm, with matinees on Wednesday (from 27th October 2021), Saturday and Sunday at 2.30 pm. The show will also mark its 15th anniversary at the Apollo Victoria Theatre later in the year with a celebratory performance on Tuesday 28th September 2021.

General booking will open for all performances from Wednesday 15th September to Sunday 22th May 2022. Group organisers, coach operators and the travel trade will exclusively be able to book for performances from Tuesday 24th May to Sunday 27th November 2022 as well.

For more information or to make a booking, contact your preferred supplier of West End theatre tickets. Coach operators and group organisers can learn more at www.WickedGroups.co.uk.

Hamilton London West End performances resume

Hamilton will be back at the Victoria Palace Theatre from 19th August 2021.

Jeffrey Seller and Cameron Mackintosh, producers of the West End production of Hamilton, have announced the show will resume performances at the Victoria Palace Theatre from 19th August 2021. Tickets are on sale now and full casting will be announced soon.

“For over a year the lights on the West End have been dark and our friends, family and colleagues on and off the stage have been out of work. It is with tremendous gratitude that we announce the return of HAMILTON to London’s Victoria Palace Theatre this August. We will safely gather to tell this story again. We’ll be back.” Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Disney’s Frozen to open in August 2021

Frozen will be opening at the newly refurbished Theatre Royal Drury Lane this September.

Disney Theatrical Productions have announced that Frozen will be opening at the newly refurbished Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 8th September 2021, with previews from 27th August. The show stars Samantha Barks as Elsa and Stephanie McKeon as Anna.

Tickets are available now and is booking until 3rd April 2022. Group rates start from £39.50 for Grand Circle and £49.50 for Stalls & Royal Circle, for groups of 9-19. Prices for groups of 20+ start from £35 for Grand Circle and £45 for Stalls & Royal Circle. Tickets are on sale now, visit www.frozenthemusical.co.uk for more.

Rock of Ages Announces 2021 and 2022 UK Tour Dates

The Rock of Ages tour starts in Birmingham this August.

The award-winning musical Rock of Ages will return to tour the UK in 2021 and 2022.

Following a sell-out tour in 2018/19, Rock of Ages will bring classic rock anthems to venues across the UK including Glasgow, Cheltenham, Poole, Cardiff and more.

The nationwide tour will open at The Alexandra in Birmingham on 19th August 2021 and finish at the King’s Theatre in Portsmouth on Saturday 18th June 2022. Star casting will be announced soon. For more details on venues and ticket options, visit the Rock of Ages website.

Susan Hill’s The Woman In Black prepares to Tour the UK

A scene from The Woman In Black by Susan Hill, Fortune Theatre.

Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black is due to embark on a UK Tour this year, opening at Cambridge Arts Theatre on Thursday 17th June 2021. The show will also return to the Fortune Theatre in the West End on Tuesday 7th September 2021.

Free tickets will be available for people aged 18 and under, and tickets for those aged 25 and under will be £25 in the West End and at select tour venues.

“Young people are amongst the most loyal supporters of The Woman in Black, and they have suffered significantly from the absence of art and entertainment throughout the past year. With this in mind, we are pleased to be offering younger audience members free and reduced-price tickets in the West End and some touring venues.” Peter Wilson, producer.

The 2021 UK Tour opens at Cambridge Arts Theatre before visiting Bath, Guilford, Oxford, Malvern, Shrewsbury, Manchester, Brighton, Glasgow, York, Blackpool, Stoke and Edinburgh. Further tour dates will be announced. Tickets are on sale now; visit www.thewomaninblack.com for more information.