26 May 2020 Selladoor Worldwide has announced that it will suspend its 2020 touring productions – shifting the majority of shows to start in 2021. Major productions including Footloose The Musical, We Will Rock You, Madagascar the Musical, 9 to 5 the Musical and Bring It On The Musical 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.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.David Hutchinson CEO says “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”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. Go Back
