Will the show go on – or not? How Tier 4 will affect London theatres into 2021

Marianka Swain
·3 min read
New West End comedy The Comeback now has to close - Marc Brenner
New West End comedy The Comeback now has to close - Marc Brenner

The Government’s decision to move London and most of the rest of the country first into Tier 3, and as of December 31, Tier 4, is devastating for the capital’s theatres. Around 30 venues had reopened, with producers taking a major financial risk – only to be forced to close again, with ticket-holders losing out on their Christmas cheer. There is no official word on when venues can reopen.

If you had booked, or were thinking of booking, for a show, here is the latest status on London’s productions, plus some of the online entertainment that is going ahead. In some form, at least, the show will go on.

Shows that can’t open

Two dance family favourites were due to begin later this week, but instead will lose their entire runs thanks to the tier 3 sentencing - assuming that venues won’t be allowed to reopen before early January, which seems increasingly likely. Here are the dates they should have been on.

Nutcracker Delights, English National Ballet, London Coliseum, Dec 17-Jan 3

The Little Match Girl, Sadler’s Wells, Dec 17-27

The Royal Ballet's The Nutcracker won't be playing at Christmas - Toby Melville/Reuters/Toby Melville/Reuters
The Royal Ballet's The Nutcracker won't be playing at Christmas - Toby Melville/Reuters/Toby Melville/Reuters

Shows that will close over Christmas

There are numerous shows that have only just started their run – and now will have to close with hardly any notice. Again, it’s unlikely that they will be able to play the remainder of their shows.

Pantoland at the Palladium, until Jan 3

A Christmas Carol - The Musical Staged Concert, Dominion Theatre, until Jan 2

Potted Panto, Garrick Theatre, until Jan 10

The Comeback, Noel Coward Theatre, until Jan 3

Nine Lessons and Carols, Almeida Theatre, until Jan 9

The Nutcracker, Royal Opera House, until Jan 3

Overflow, Bush Theatre, until Jan 16

Cinderella: The Socially Distanced Ball, Turbine Theatre, until Dec 23

Bah humbug! Simon Russell Beale stars in A Christmas Carol at the Bridge Theatre - Manuel Harlan
Bah humbug! Simon Russell Beale stars in A Christmas Carol at the Bridge Theatre - Manuel Harlan

Shows that will have a forced hiatus

Assuming that theatres will be allowed to open again early next year – by no means a given – these productions may be allowed to pick up their disrupted runs. Although those with January end dates obviously won’t be able to accommodate all those who had booked tickets.

A Christmas Carol, Bridge Theatre, until Jan 16

The Dumb Waiter, Hampstead Theatre, until Jan 30

Death Drop, Garrick Theatre, until Jan 17

Mischief Movie Night, Vaudeville Theatre, until Jan 31

Dick Whittington, National Theatre, until Jan 23

Les Misérables: The Staged Concert, Sondheim Theatre, until Feb 28

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Apollo Theatre, until Mar 21

SIX, Lyric Theatre, until Apr 18

The Play That Goes Wrong, Duchess Theatre, until May 2

Fans of musical SIX will be disappointed to miss out on performances over the Christmas period - Pamela Raith
Fans of musical SIX will be disappointed to miss out on performances over the Christmas period - Pamela Raith

Shows you can watch online

Fortunately, there are some great streaming options for your Christmas entertainment. Here are some of the online gems.

A Christmas Carol, Old Vic, until Dec 24

The Nutcracker, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Dec 18-24

A Christmas Carol, Jermyn Street Theatre/Guildford Shakespeare Company, Dec 17-27

Festive Tales, Royal Shakespeare Company, Dec 19

Christmas at the (Snow) Globe, Shakespeare’s Globe, Dec 21-Jan 5