Indoor theatre in England can start on 15 August says government

The government has confirmed that socially distanced indoor theatre in England can begin on 15 August after an initial delay.

Interior of the Plymouth Theatre Royal

Indoor theatre with social distancing has received government approval from 15 August 2020.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson released new guidance was released late last night giving shows the ability to open from Saturday night, though most shows will find it financially impossible to open.

The Prime Minister also warned that he "will not hesitate to put on the brakes if required, or to continue to implement local measures to help to control the spread of the virus". Opening would not apply to those areas of England that are under lockdown again because of infection rates.

The government will not make more determinations on the return of theatre with normal audiences until November so many have cancelled their Christmas pantomimes and started redundancy consultations. This guidance does mean that Sleepless the musical, The Mousetrap in the West End, the Bridge Theatre's new season and Southwark Playhouse's The Last Five Years can go ahead.

Scotland and Northern Ireland will implement policy separately.