Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Cinderella” has postponed its fall premiere on the West End due to “current global circumstances,” the production announced Thursday.
A spokesperson for the production declined to elaborate on whether the global circumstances refer to the spread of coronavirus. The COVID-19 virus has a recorded 115 cases in the United Kingdom, according to the BBC.
“The show will go on sale next week as planned, but in the current global circumstances the creative team and I feel that this later opening date is wise,” Lloyd Webber said in the release.
The musical will now begin previews for its world premiere at the Gillian Lynne Theatre on Oct. 9, rather than the previously scheduled Aug. 28. Opening night is set for Oct. 28.
No Broadway productions have yet announced postponements or cancellations related to COVID-19. Off-Broadway, “Treasure Island” at the New Victory Theater has been canceled due to travel restrictions placed on the performers, who reside in Italy.
The West End production also noted that before “Cinderella” begins, the Gillian Lynne Theatre will undergo “internal upgrade work” to the building, including more bathrooms and a possible increase in seating capacity.
Rehearsals of “Cinderella” will take place the musical’s leading actors this month, as planned.
The Gillian Lynne Theatre does not have a current show running, after “School of Rock” played its last performance at the theater on March 1.
The production, featuring music by Webber, lyrics by David Zippel and written by Emerald Fennell, is billed as a “complete reinvention” of the classic fairytale. It will be directed by Laurence Connor.
