The RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company) updates production plans for 2020 in both Stratford and London due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The RSC has issued a further response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the continuing lockdown, alongside Government advice that social distancing will need to remain in place for some time, the Company has made the difficult decision to postpone all remaining planned performances of The Winter’s Tale and The Comedy of Errors and all other ticketed events scheduled to take place during the summer season, which was due to end on 3 October 2020.
Planned performances in the autumn and winter have also been postponed or cancelled including:
- The Wars of The Roses Part 1 and Part 2 – postponed from autumn 2020 until autumn 2021
- The new family musical The Magician’s Elephant – postponed from winter 2020 until winter 2021
- The First Encounters with Shakespeare tour of Twelfth Night – postponed until 2021
- The RSC Barbican annual residency for 2020 – cancelled
- Matilda The Musical will remain closed in line with other West End theatres
- All other events cancelled, including RSC Summer School
The Company is currently actively exploring the possibility of re-opening the Royal Shakespeare Theatre (RST) in the autumn with new events and re-scheduled performances of The Winter’s Tale and The Comedy of Errors. Both productions were due to open in the RST this spring and further details will be announced over the coming months. The ability to stage the productions in the autumn is dependent on government advice on social distancing and whether it is financially viable for the Company to open its theatres and perform to audiences.
Gregory Doran, RSC Artistic Director and Catherine Mallyon, RSC Executive Director said: “Since we closed our doors, we have received support through messages and donations from the public, our audiences and supporters. We thank everybody for those messages of support. We are also grateful for the commitment and understanding of our staff, most of whom cannot be at work now. The hunger for the arts during the crisis is there for all to see. Theatre and the arts give strength to people in difficult times, they lift the spirits and bring a sense of community, which is desperately needed right now. We are determined to be back with live performances, and we are looking forward to when that time comes.”
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