All Selladoor UK Productions To Postpone Into 2021

Following hot on the heels of the announcement earlier today by Ipswich Borough Council that they have cancelled all of their 2020 summer events comes another stark announcement which comes as no major suprise to industry insiders and brings home the reality of the current situation in the live entertainment world.

Selladoor Worldwide has announced that it will suspend all of its 2020 touring productions, shifting the majority of the shows to start in 2021.  Moreover, major productions including Footloose, We Will Rock You, Madagascar the Musical, 9 to 5 and Bring It On will be postponed as a result of Covid-19.

The company who are behind productions such as Fame, Avenue Q and American Idiot – and operators of regional theatres in North Devon and Cambridgeshire, have confirmed they will temporarily close their offices during July and August to maximise government support during a period of extended inactivity.

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Selladoor venues will extend closure until November with The Queen’s Theatre Barnstaple, The Landmark Ilfracombe and New Theatre Peterborough planning to reopen pre-pantomime season.

It’s with a heavy heart that we’ve taken the decision to postpone the majority of our productions into 2021 both in the UK and internationally. It’s taken our production team, creatives and partners years to put these productions together and we were so excited to share them with audiences this year. However, the uncertainty on when theatres will reopen, married with questions on how we safely tour actors both in the UK and internationally; and consumer confidence compromised – we feel the odds are against us and we must prioritise sustainable production

We have 100+ members of staff across our productions and venues operation and the priority at this uncertain time is to maximise our runway for relaunch, whenever that may be, and maintain as much resilience as we can. We are currently burning through our reserve cash at a scary rate and it’s completely unsustainable for a company mainly reliant on box office

David Hutchinson CEO, Selladoor Worldwide

Selladoor has confirmed the following production postponements:

Footloose the Musical, due to open in April 2020 at Wimbledon New Theatre will now open at the earliest in Zurich Maag Music Hall November 2020 – with UK dates commencing from January 2021.

We Will Rock You, due to open in August 2020 in Cape Town Artscape Theatre, South Africa will now open in February 2021 at the Solaire Resort Manila, Philippines.

Madagascar the Musical, due to open in August 2020 at the Civic Theatre in Auckland, New Zealand will now open Autumn 2021.

Bring It On the Musical, due to open June 2020 at the Birmingham Hippodrome now planning to open Autumn 2021.

9 to 5 UK Tour, due to open May 2020 at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre now planning to open Spring 2021.

Selladoor Worldwide was founded in 2009 by CEO David Hutchinson and CFO Phillip Rowntree, developing rapidly into an integral player of the UK and Ireland’s regional theatre landscape. The company has since established itself as one of the leading producers of mid- and large-scale touring theatre, with a well-established network of international offices and partners.

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