British Theatres respond to the death of Queen Elizabeth II

As the United Kingdom mourns the death of Queen Elizabeth II, theatres around the UK are preparing for the upcoming funeral and their plans to honour the monarch.

Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully on 8 September 2022.
Photo: The Royal Family, Facebook

Following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II at age 96, the United Kingdom is currently in a 12-day period of national mourning.

As a supporter of the arts during her 70-year-old reign, UK theatres and the theatre industry, in general, are honoring the period of mourning. This article aims to show how West End performances will be affected and the response of the theatre industry in general. This article will be updated as updates are received.

Will theatre performances be cancelled as a result of Queen Elizabeth II's death?

We have started to receive notifications that West End theatre productions may be cancelled on the 19th September (the day of Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral).

West End performances already confirming cancellation on 19 September include:- & Juliet - Shaftesbury Theatre Back To The Future : The Musical - Adelphi Theatre Bright Half Life - King's Head Theatre Cabaret - Kit at Club (Playhouse Theatre) Come From Away - Phoenix Theatre Dear Evan Hansen - Noel Coward Theatre Eureka Day - Old Vic Theatre Grease - Dominion Theatre Hamilton - Victoria Palace Theatre Jersey Boys - Trafalgar Theatre Les Miserables - Sondheim Theatre Life of Pi - Wyndham's Theatre Mamma Mia! - Novello Theatre Mary Poppins - Prince Edward Theatre Moulin Rouge - Piccadilly Theatre Only Fools and Horses The Musical - Theatre Royal Haymarket The Book of Mormon - Prince of Wales Theatre The Mousetrap - St Martins Lane The Phantom Of The Opera - Her Majesty's Theatre To Kill A Mockingbird - Gielgud Theatre The Woman In Black - Fortune Theatre The Tempest - The Globe (18th September) I, Joan - The Globe (19th September) Further cancellation notices will be added as they come to hand. Please note it is possible other shows may be affected but have not notified us of cancellation. If in any doubt contact the theatre directly.

If you have booked theatre tickets for a cancelled performance on 19 September you will be contacted by the ticket vendor or theatre direct.

ATTRACTIONS

The following attractions will also be closed on the 19th September:-

• Royal Collection Trust (The State Rooms, The Royal Mews and The Queen's Gallery, Windsor Castle and The Palace of Holyroodhouse) (+ closed until 21st September 2022).

• St. Paul's Cathedral (+ closed until 20th September 2022)

• The Tower of London

• Hampton Court Palace

• Banqueting House

• Kensington Palace

• Kew Gardens

• Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

• Merlin UK attractions

• Warner Bros. Studio Tour

• The Harry Potter Photographic Exhibition

• Royal Museums Greenwich

• Cutty Sark

• The Painted Hall

• Chelsea Stadium Tours

• Big Bus

• Wembley Stadium Tours

• BBakery Afternoon Tea Bus

• All City Cruises Products (incl. London, Poole & York)

Will Queen Elizabeth II be honoured at theatre performances?

The Society Of London Theatres issued the following statement:-

"Following the sad news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, in accordance with official guidance, the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre have advised that theatres are expected to remain open from tonight and for the duration of the period of national mourning up until the funeral.

Theatres across the country will be dimming their lights at 7pm for 2 minutes each evening as a mark of respect, which is theatre’s traditional way to honour those that have passed.

The Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre will be issuing further updates in line with official guidance once timings and details of the funeral have been confirmed, and audiences will be kept informed.

We would like to extend our condolences to the Royal Family at this sad time."

The Royal Shakespeare Company's Catherine Mallyon (RSC Executive Director) and Erica Whyman (RSC Acting Artistic Director) reflect on the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

“We are deeply saddened at the news of the Queen’s death, and our thoughts are with her family, and particularly His Majesty The King. Her Majesty The Queen was Patron of the Royal Shakespeare Company from 1961, when the Company was created."

A statement from the National Theatre London:- We are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty The Queen, who was Royal Patron of the National Theatre for over four decades. We are proud and honoured to have had such a long-standing association.  See the full statement from the National Theatre here. JOIN OUR MAILING LIST TO BE KEPT INFORMED

A statement from the Royal Shakespeare Company