All the new theatre openings that have been delayed until 2021
There's now more time to get excited about them
The global pandemic has hit the theatre world badly with venues closing, mass redundancies and performers not knowing when their next show will be. Due to the uncertainty and need for social distancing, many shows have taken the decision to close their doors entirely until 2021 or delay their start date until the new year.
With the government announcing open air theatres could still open in summer 2020 with restrictions in place, things are still up in the air but venues are doing their best to ensure a thriving future for theatre.
2021 Theatre Dates
Sister Act The Musical
Sadly, for fans looking forward to this new show, you'll have to wait a while longer. Taking place in London's Eventim Apollo, the show has been postponed for opening until summer 2021, with a nationwide tour expected later. Fans who were eager to see Jennifer Saunders and Whoopi Goldberg can rest assured that the duo will still be taking to the stage despite the year long delay.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella The Musical
The highly anticipated new musical from Andrew Lloyd Webber has announced its delay until April 2021. Staring Carrie Hope Fletcher as Cinderella, the musical will now see its premiere take place at the Gillian Lynne Theatre on Wednesday 7th April.
Speaking about the delay, Andrew Lloyd Webber said: "Whilst I continue to impress on the government that theatres can open safely... it has become clear we need to move the opening of Cinderella to next Spring. My teams have been working throughout lockdown to prepare the show and are raring to go, but there are key elements, not least casting and the building of sets and costumes, that take months of forward planning and can only start as we get further down the road to normal. So the show will absolutely go on, just a little later than I'd hoped"
My Best Friend's Wedding The Musical
Set to start in Plymouth this year, the musical production of My Best Friend's Wedding has been delayed until 2021. No longer premiering in the South of England, the show will now open at the Manchester Palace Theatre on September 20th 2021 and go on a UK tour to Sunderland, Aberdeen, Southampton, Sheffield, Nottingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Leicester and Edinburgh with a London show set for October 2021.
Staring Alexandra Burke as Julianne Potter, the musical is an adaptation of the 1997 romantic comedy staring Julia Roberts and will feature songs including "I Say A Little Prayer".
Identical The Musical
Based on the movie Parent Trap which saw a young Lindsey Lohan play both of the twins, the musical production has announced it'll no longer be opening in 2020. The show was due to have its premiere at the Nottingham Playhouse in July 2020 but has announced a delay which 2021 dates for the production set to be released soon.
Friends The Musical Parody
All about our favourite TV characters, this musical is a tongue-in-cheek look at Rachel's amazing hair, Ross and his dinosaurs and Joey's famous pick up lines. Despite some shows going ahead in early 2020, the show announced just before lockdown that it will be taking the rest of the production to the stage in 2021.
101 Dalmatians The Musical
Although open air theatre could return as soon as August 2020, the production of 101 Dalmatians The Musical has been moved to Spring 2021. Performed at the iconic Regents Park Open Air Theatre, the canine show will be more than worth the wait!
Monsoon Wedding Musical
The new musical by acclaimed director Mira Air is now due to premiere at London's Roundhouse from 16th July 2021. Set in Delhi, the musical tells the story of an extravagant arranged marriage between Aditi and Hermant and allows the audience to watch as dark family secrets begin to unravel during what should be the most exciting celebrations.
Sleepless The Musical
A musical romance based on the 1933 romantic comedy, Sleepless in Seattle, is currently still due to go ahead in August 2020 but do keep up to date to see how things pan out. Set to open at the Wembley Park Theatre in London, the musical stars Kimberly Walsh from Girls Aloud and Jay McGuiness from The Wanted.