Reasons To Be Cheerful - The Future Of Theatre

We all know that the world of theatre is in the interval right now. Pictures of the West end and Broadway looking like ghost towns are haunting. But the good news is this can't last forever and it won't. At some point theatre will return, and while it might be a while before things go back to normal, there are definitely things to look forward to and reasons to be cheerful - so with that let's celebrate the future of theatre by looking at what is still to come in the West end over the next year.

At the time of writing, theatres in the West end are closed until May 31st. It is all but certain that date is going to be extended, possibly until September 7th if DMT's website is a good indication. With that in mind, dates of shows due to open in the next few months are likely to change, but as long as nobody cancels the run entirely, these shows will make it to these shores eventually. Hopefully sooner rather than later as you will see there are some absolute masterpieces in there!

WHAT?

Sunday In The Park With George is a classic Sondheim musical. This production is the same as the Broadway revival from 2017

WHO?

The show features the same two lead actor as its Broadway season - Annaleigh Ashford and superstar actor Jake Gyllenhaal

WHERE?

The Savoy Theatre

WHEN? It was due to open for a limited 16 week run on June 5th. While it is still booking for that date, it will most likely be postponed. The difficulty will be fitting in the new run around Jake Gyllenhaals schedule so this may end up being pushed until 2021. When it does finally arrive, it is sure to be worth the wait.

WHAT?

A revival of Hello Dolly, last seen on Broadway with Bette Midler in the starring role.

WHO?

Bette didn't make it over here but we do have the legendary Imelda Staunton who won rave reviews for her roles in Gypsy, Follies and Who's Afraid of Virgina Woolf. The show also stars Andy Nyman, Jenna Russell and Tyrone Huntley.

WHERE?

The Adelphi Theatre

WHEN?

Due to open on August 11th for a limited run until March 6th 2021. There are whisperings the date may be pushed back slightly but nothing has been confirmed yet.

WHAT?

Hairspray was last seen in the West end in 2010 after finishing a run lasting two and a half years.

WHO?

The show stars Michael Ball as Edna Turnblad, Marisha Wallace as Motormouth Maybelle (her 'I Know Where I've Been' is going to be a showstopper), Paul Merton and Rita Simons.

WHERE?

The Coliseum

WHEN?

Due to open earlier this month, the run has now been pushed back until September 1st for a 10 week run.

WHAT?

Not a Broadway transfer or an adaptation from a movie. This refreshingly new musical is based on the true story of the woman who managed The Drifters.

WHO?

Beverley Knight returns to the West end stage for the first time in 2 years to bring us her portrayal of Faye Treadwell. Beverley recently treated us on an Instagram live to a performance of 'Stand by me' from the show. That alone is worth the price of the ticket.

WHERE?

The Garrick Theatre

WHEN?

Due to open on October 1st for a limited run until February 13th 2021.

WHAT?

The first new musical from Andrew Lloyd Webber since 2015's School Of Rock. A new twist on the classic fairytale.

WHO?

The show stars Carrie Hope Fletcher as the titular Bad Cinderella.

WHERE?

The Gillian Lynne Theatre

WHEN?

Due to open on October 28th for what is currently an open ended run.

WHAT?

The long awaited musical version of the smash hit Disney movie finally makes its way over to the West end after a successful run on Broadway

WHO?

The show stars Samantha Barks as Elsa and Stephanie McKeon as Anna.

WHERE?

The show will be reopening the completely refurbished Theatre Royal Drury Lane which will have been closed for nearly 2 years.

WHEN?

It opens on October 30th for what could be a lengthy run.

I saw the Broadway production 2 years ago and it really is magical. 'Let it go' especially is a sight to behold. If you're on the fence with musical adaptations of Disney films, this is really worth giving a chance.

WHAT?

The musical adaptation of Baz Luhrmann's iconic movie has been playing to packed audiences on Broadway for the last year. It is our turn this side of the pond in 2021.

WHO?

No cast announcements for the West end production have been announced yet but you can be sure to expect some big names from the world of theatre to lead the show

WHERE?

Moulin Rouge takes over from Pretty Woman at the Piccadilly theatre

WHEN?

It is due to open in March 2021 though the exact date has not been announced yet. Tickets were due to go on sale earlier this year but have been delayed due to the pandemic.

WHAT?

The musical version of the iconic film from 1992 opened at the Palladium in 2009 for a 15 month run but has not been seen in London since. This is a revised version of the show.

WHO?

For the first time, Whoopi Goldberg is reprising her role as Deloris from the movies on the West end stage. Whoopi had previously had a short run as Mother Superior in the Palladium version. This time that role is played by Jennifer Saunders.

WHERE?

Sister Act will play at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith.

WHEN?

It was going to be the must see show of the summer but has had to be pushed back a year. The show now opens for a limited run from July 20th - August 29th 2021.

And that is just the tip of the iceberg! Who knows what other musical treats we have in store? Rumours are going around of Broadway transfers of Beetlejuice and Tootsie making their way over here in the next 12 months. I'm sure there will be some other surprises as well. Revivals? Transfers? Original shows? Maybe we'll even get a long awaited revival of Viva Forever in 2021.

When theatres do reopen, it does look like things are going to be different for a while. The question is how theatres operate with social distancing guidelines. It may mean opening shows at part capacity. Nothing is certain for now. The only certainty is that the theatres WILL reopen after this interval and in true musical fashion, Act 2 will be even better than the first.

So what are you most excited to see? Let me know in the comments or at twitter.com/ATDazzles