Theatres - can someone explain the current situation?

[Thehistorygirls]

I have tickets for a West End show on 25 June - when I booked, it said the seating would be socially distanced, and full reopening of this particular show wouldn’t happen until 4 July.

Assuming the unlocking is delayed for a month as planned, can socially distanced theatre performances still go ahead? Or is the whole thing off?

I realise this is a very small problem compared to all Covid things, but I’m very unclear on the current situation.

Thanks in advance.

Some are running shows at the moment at 50%, but I understand some cannot so haven’t yet opened. We will know more on Monday.

Ah yes I have a similar question. I have something booked for early July, before the new date (or before the leaked new date). I am so hoping we can go.

I’m just checking my booking and the site says only people in groups of 6 or under unless 2 households etc etc so that sounds very much like the rules we have now. If they were taking bookings assuming all restrictions removed they wouldn’t need to say that would they..? So by implication, would be compliant under current rules?
I have my fingers and toes crossed!

Thanks all. Glad to hear I’m not the only person confused! Hopefully we will know more on Monday.

Theatres can currently open as long as they are at 50% capacity or 1,000 people - whichever the lowest figure is.

Currently in the West End quite a few shows are open/opening soon under this principle - I guess by taking this approach they are not affected by what Boris is going to announce re the 21st and can proceed to operate.

However other shows like Andrew Lloyd Webber’s shows/theatres are not opening as long as social distancing is a thing. ALW says he can’t put on his shows to a lower capacity to break even. Hence why he is threatening legal action if he can’t open his shows/theatres to full capacity after the 21st.

I have tickets booked for a show in London next month but it is one that’s socially distanced so presuming it will go ahead (as long as we don’t reverse any lockdown steps!!)

I did look at booking Joseph too for next month but honestly didn’t know how I’d feel sitting so close to other audience members at that point 🙈 and no point spending the money if I’d be on edge 😬

Theatres have been re-open for a while. I've seen maybe half a dozen shows over the past few weeks. All socially distanced, of course.

Some theatres made the financial decision to wait until 21st because they felt they'd lose too much money if they had to open with social distancing, others opened as soon as they were allowed.

The only shows that might be affected by a delay are those that decided to open without social distancing, on the understanding social distancing restrictions would be lifted on the 21st. If the show you're booked for is with social distancing, then it's currently allowed already and no changes (unless the government suddenly swoop in and announce much harsher restrictions than we're currently under) will affect that.

Hope you enjoy your show! The Palace Theatre is currently running a really fun musical greatest hits show, if anyone is at a loose end this weekend and fancies some theatre!

I was at the theatre last night. Socially distanced, mask on throughout, and you couldn’t go out and come back in if you had a wee- no interval, and it was an hour and forty minutes run time! I’m glad I went but I’m looking forward to when it feels more ‘normal’.

Oh gosh, I went to a show where you had to follow a strict one-way system. Was sitting in a seat at the very end of the row, literally directly next to the door where the ladies loo.

Had to walk up and down two flights of stairs and go all the way through the entire auditorium squeezing past about a hundred people to get back to my seat 10ft away!

Some of these Covid rules are so wacky.

I’d also be interested to know what happens to Sporting Events( I know not theatres but similar thing). DH and both DS’s are supposed to be going to F1 at the end of July. I realise it’s outside but I’m assuming they won’t allow spectators if 21 June doesn’t go ahead?
I know it’s selfish but they have missed so much. DS1 is 16 and has missed concerts, holidays and his prom. DH has moved heaven and earth to get tickets for F1 so they are going to be gutted if they can’t go!

if F1 doesn’t go ahead!!! DH will be absolutely gutted. He has camping tickets carried over from last year. It’s his last hurrah before the baby comes 😅

Thanks everyone - this is all very cheering!