ALW's Cinderella - Gillian Lynne / U.K. Tour (rumour)

[mrbarnaby]

I just don’t believe he will shelve this production in London.

It’s not like he can open it anywhere else- everywhere is headed in the same direction as us with rising infections. I can (sadly) see Broadways reopening getting derailed in the autumn.

[oxfordsimon]

It feels like a temper tantrum in the form of a press release. It is a ludicrous position to take to pull a production entirely because of a 10 day hiatus that he knew would be a possibility when he restarted work.

It is more petulance in his part.

[Jon]

Jul 19, 2021 16:51:03 GMT inthenose said:

I fear we are well on our way to another shut down. If the arts do indeed close for business once more, it is hard to see any way back for many productions, potentially including this one. Such a shame.

Did anybody else pick up on Lloyd Webber's language in the written statement? At times it sounds like this closure could be a lot longer term than just the week reported today in the news.

ALW: (emphasis mine)

"We have been forced into a devastating decision which will affect the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of people and disappoint the thousands who have booked to see the show," said Lord Lloyd Webber.

"Cinderella was ready to go. My sadness for our cast and crew, our loyal audience and the industry I have been fighting for is impossible to put into words."


This looks like it could be really bad. Thoughts and prayers to all those employed by the production that they can indeed reopen swiftly.

ALW is clearly trying to force the Government's hand to let live shows into daily contact testing rather than closing Cinderella permanently.

[hairspray57]

Jul 19, 2021 17:00:49 GMT Jon said:

Jul 19, 2021 16:51:03 GMT inthenose said:

I fear we are well on our way to another shut down. If the arts do indeed close for business once more, it is hard to see any way back for many productions, potentially including this one. Such a shame.

Did anybody else pick up on Lloyd Webber's language in the written statement? At times it sounds like this closure could be a lot longer term than just the week reported today in the news.

ALW: (emphasis mine)

"We have been forced into a devastating decision which will affect the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of people and disappoint the thousands who have booked to see the show," said Lord Lloyd Webber.

"Cinderella was ready to go. My sadness for our cast and crew, our loyal audience and the industry I have been fighting for is impossible to put into words."


This looks like it could be really bad. Thoughts and prayers to all those employed by the production that they can indeed reopen swiftly.

ALW is clearly trying to force the Government's hand to let live shows into daily contact testing rather than closing Cinderella permanently.

That won’t happen - every work place will demand the same treatment and that is not financially viable when in a month fully vaccinated staff are exempt from isolation. 

[bob2010]

So apart from Heathers (which is sold out) are there any other shows on tonight?

[Dr Tom]

Jul 19, 2021 17:18:16 GMT bob2010 said:

So apart from Heathers (which is sold out) are there any other shows on tonight?

Very little I can find in central London, other than Anna X at the Harold Pinter.

A few of the fringe venues and theatres outside central London have shows on. I've booked in for Lava at the Bush Theatre, but that's also sold out now. There's Out West at the Hammersmith Lyric and The Invisible Hand at the Kiln Theatre that I've spotted.

[Deleted]

I wonder if they’re considering waiting until the test & trace rules change in August.

They could open next week and then find themselves in exactly the same position a few days later.

As was mentioned earlier in the thread, if your crew and cast including leading lady are getting the tube to work it’s like Russian roulette at the moment.

[musicalmarge]

I wonder what show will be next for the Gillian Lynne?

[BurlyBeaR]

Jul 19, 2021 18:36:41 GMT musicalmarge said:

I wonder what show will be next for the Gillian Lynne?

Cats. The brilliant original. (Now they have the seat thingy working). 

[adeliciaboy]

Yes, today’s announcement from ALW was a surprise. But everyone take a depth breath please and think for a second about what’s really going on with this sudden closure, which from the way the ALW announcement reads may be permanent — at least as far as the London production of ALW’s “Cinderella” is concerned.

But whether or not that proves to be true, it appears that ALW is conveniently using Covid and the British government to keep the critics away from what was to have been tonight’s press opening. ALW is no dummy. He knows the show was in trouble. That has been clear from the first preview weeks ago. Tweaks and such have not substantively changed that fact. So canceling the press opening at least keeps negative publicity from potentially going more widespread than it already has.

That said, the question then becomes whether ALW is shuttering the show for a more prolonged period to try and fix it now or whether he has decided to wait until a new production can be mounted elsewhere. I have not seen the London production, but from all that I have read from others on this board, it sounds as if the necessary changes cannot realistically be done in a week or two weeks or even a month. So ALW perhaps understandably may have decided better to cut his losses now rather than postpone the opening for a few days and still face a slew of negative notices. Maybe he also has belatedly realized he needs a new director, which means the show would almost certainly need to shut down for a prolonged period, losing whatever momentum it may have had.

And “Cinderella” wouldn’t be the first show ALW has shuttered abruptly. Those with long memories may recall that ALW closed “Whistle Down The Wind” while it was doing a pre-Broadway tryout at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C. That show did make it to opening night in D.C. (I was there that evening), but shortly afterward ALW said it would not be going to Broadway. The show closed in D.C. and was never seen again until a version was mounted years later on the West End. I know that show had problems too, but like others I think it was one of ALW’s better scores. I cannot say the same about “Cinderella” though I have admittedly only heard it performed on the concept album.

So we all should know in a couple more days what exactly this “shuttering” of Cinderella is all about. In the meantime stay calm and let the true story come out. It will.

[Oleanna]

The show has not closed. Scheduled to recommence performances Monday 26th.

[Oleanna]

Jul 19, 2021 17:18:16 GMT bob2010 said:

So apart from Heathers (which is sold out) are there any other shows on tonight?

Six, Jamie, Joseph, Amelie, Les Misérables.

[fiyerorocher]

It's so strange to watch people jumping to wild conclusions about the show being closed for good or covid used as an excuse to shut it down - we have literally watched multiple other shows get shut down with no notice for this exact same reason. Someone tested positive and despite their best efforts to prove the rest of the cast are healthy, they cannot open tonight. From what multiple cast members have said on social media today, they absolutely DID expect to have press night this evening up until the eleventh hour. Why is there an assumption that it's a mass conspiracy? Tickets will be rescheduled (as has been confirmed in emails), the cast will isolate, the show will open (likely in exactly the same state it closed in - regardless of if you're a fan or not).

[ceebee]

Jul 19, 2021 18:38:08 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

Jul 19, 2021 18:36:41 GMT musicalmarge said:

I wonder what show will be next for the Gillian Lynne?

Cats. The brilliant original. (Now they have the seat thingy working). 

With a reduced band?

[Jon]

The only time ALW has been true to his word when making any sort of threat was when he filed a lawsuit to get the ERP data but that was only because he had the backing of others in the live entertainment sector.

[steve10086]

Jul 19, 2021 19:04:09 GMT fiyerorocher said:

It's so strange to watch people jumping to wild conclusions about the show being closed for good or covid used as an excuse to shut it down - we have literally watched multiple other shows get shut down with no notice for this exact same reason. Someone tested positive and despite their best efforts to prove the rest of the cast are healthy, they cannot open tonight. From what multiple cast members have said on social media today, they absolutely DID expect to have press night this evening up until the eleventh hour. Why is there an assumption that it's a mass conspiracy? Tickets will be rescheduled (as has been confirmed in emails), the cast will isolate, the show will open (likely in exactly the same state it closed in - regardless of if you're a fan or not).

Thank god someone on here is sane!

The show is not closing for good. As if.

It’s not a conspiracy, it’s stupid COVID rules.

In other news, the earth is not flat.

[greeny11]

It's the wording of ALW's statement that has got people talking. In my opinion, it's unnecessarily dramatic, but it does show how hard it is for shows to function under the current restrictions. Hopefully, come 16th August, things may not be as disruptive in the case of positive cases within the company.

[Jon]

Jul 19, 2021 19:21:10 GMT greeny11 said:

It's the wording of ALW's statement that has got people talking. In my opinion, it's unnecessarily dramatic.

He does a habit of doing that to the point where it loses its impact and instead of being concerned, you end up rolling your eyes.

[Seriously]

Jul 19, 2021 18:48:20 GMT adeliciaboy said:

Yes, today’s announcement from ALW was a surprise. But everyone take a depth breath please and think for a second about what’s really going on with this sudden closure, which from the way the ALW announcement reads may be permanent — at least as far as the London production of ALW’s “Cinderella” is concerned.

But whether or not that proves to be true, it appears that ALW is conveniently using Covid and the British government to keep the critics away from what was to have been tonight’s press opening. ALW is no dummy. He knows the show was in trouble. That has been clear from the first preview weeks ago. Tweaks and such have not substantively changed that fact. So canceling the press opening at least keeps negative publicity from potentially going more widespread than it already has.

That said, the question then becomes whether ALW is shuttering the show for a more prolonged period to try and fix it now or whether he has decided to wait until a new production can be mounted elsewhere. I have not seen the London production, but from all that I have read from others on this board, it sounds as if the necessary changes cannot realistically be done in a week or two weeks or even a month. So ALW perhaps understandably may have decided better to cut his losses now rather than postpone the opening for a few days and still face a slew of negative notices. Maybe he also has belatedly realized he needs a new director, which means the show would almost certainly need to shut down for a prolonged period, losing whatever momentum it may have had.

And “Cinderella” wouldn’t be the first show ALW has shuttered abruptly. Those with long memories may recall that ALW closed “Whistle Down The Wind” while it was doing a pre-Broadway tryout at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C. That show did make it to opening night in D.C. (I was there that evening), but shortly afterward ALW said it would not be going to Broadway. The show closed in D.C. and was never seen again until a version was mounted years later on the West End. I know that show had problems too, but like others I think it was one of ALW’s better scores. I cannot say the same about “Cinderella” though I have admittedly only heard it performed on the concept album.

So we all should know in a couple more days what exactly this “shuttering” of Cinderella is all about. In the meantime stay calm and let the true story come out. It will.

So, he's committing fraud?

[inthenose]

Jul 19, 2021 18:48:20 GMT adeliciaboy said:

Yes, today’s announcement from ALW was a surprise. But everyone take a depth breath please and think for a second about what’s really going on with this sudden closure, which from the way the ALW announcement reads may be permanent — at least as far as the London production of ALW’s “Cinderella” is concerned.

But whether or not that proves to be true, it appears that ALW is conveniently using Covid and the British government to keep the critics away from what was to have been tonight’s press opening. ALW is no dummy. He knows the show was in trouble. That has been clear from the first preview weeks ago. Tweaks and such have not substantively changed that fact. So canceling the press opening at least keeps negative publicity from potentially going more widespread than it already has.

That said, the question then becomes whether ALW is shuttering the show for a more prolonged period to try and fix it now or whether he has decided to wait until a new production can be mounted elsewhere. I have not seen the London production, but from all that I have read from others on this board, it sounds as if the necessary changes cannot realistically be done in a week or two weeks or even a month. So ALW perhaps understandably may have decided better to cut his losses now rather than postpone the opening for a few days and still face a slew of negative notices. Maybe he also has belatedly realized he needs a new director, which means the show would almost certainly need to shut down for a prolonged period, losing whatever momentum it may have had.

And “Cinderella” wouldn’t be the first show ALW has shuttered abruptly. Those with long memories may recall that ALW closed “Whistle Down The Wind” while it was doing a pre-Broadway tryout at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C. That show did make it to opening night in D.C. (I was there that evening), but shortly afterward ALW said it would not be going to Broadway. The show closed in D.C. and was never seen again until a version was mounted years later on the West End. I know that show had problems too, but like others I think it was one of ALW’s better scores. I cannot say the same about “Cinderella” though I have admittedly only heard it performed on the concept album.

So we all should know in a couple more days what exactly this “shuttering” of Cinderella is all about. In the meantime stay calm and let the true story come out. It will.

I don't know if I agree with any of that.

I haven't seen it either, but the feedback on here from those who have has been generally that it's an above-average to good show, one of ALW's best in many, many years - with a few loves and few hates thrown in as usual, according to taste.

I don't think for a second they want to close it permanently. What possible benefit would it have for them? They have the theatre, the sets constructed and the show cast, rehearsed, previewed and on the eve of a press launch.

They lose money on refunding a huge box office advance, busy houses for shows they've cancelled, wages and all the overheads. Every night the theatre is dark, it is losing money. The only major financial loser in this is ALW and those working in and for the production. He is the last person in the country to want the show to have to cancel shows, let alone their press night in the big "theatre revival" post-Covid.

The point I am making was in reference to the language and terminology used in Lloyd Webber's statement, which implies more than a week or so closure.

If I was a betting man, my hunch is that it will remain closed until 16th August (assuming the govt keep that date and don't put it back) when Step 4 of the Road Map comes into play, hugely limiting existing risk of cancellation for the producer.

I hope it comes back sooner, of course.

[fiyerorocher]

Jul 19, 2021 19:21:10 GMT greeny11 said:

It's the wording of ALW's statement that has got people talking. In my opinion, it's unnecessarily dramatic, but it does show how hard it is for shows to function under the current restrictions. Hopefully, come 16th August, things may not be as disruptive in the case of positive cases within the company.

I do agree that the statement is woefully badly written and confusing, likely done for dramatic effect with little thought put into how it would be interpreted. But the jump from that to covid being used as an excuse to close the show for reworking is just bizarre. Do we also think Ivano hurting his hand was all engineered for the same reason - to give them more preview time? Just odd when there's clear precedent for covid temporarily shutting down shows at the moment.
Yes, August 16th might be looking up! So long as the majority of casts are double vaccinated. Wonder what they'll do about those who have refused it...

[Deleted]

Jul 19, 2021 12:24:23 GMT stagebyte said:

Jul 19, 2021 12:12:05 GMT max said:

It all started friendly enough - though with shared sense of the circumstances.  What changed was the frustrated customer then claimed that Carrie could only see the original tweet because someone else had joined the conversation and began @ing Carrie only from that point.  Carrie pointed out this wasn't true.  Maybe the original tweeter didn't realise that by replying to a tweet you automatically....um...speak to who you're replying to.  A bit sad but the original tweeter did keep on justifying.

And Carrie just kept on arguing 😂 just be the bigger person and let it go maybe?
In these times I think anyone can see that it’s not the actors fault that it got cancelled. However I can understand the upset..
The woman (and lots of others who didn’t take to Twitter to vent) got told at 2.06 that the production wasn’t going ahead and had spent money on travel and accommodation not just refundable tickets. We can all say ah well that’s the chance you take in Covid times but how many of us can write off hundreds of ££ - her travel and accommodation won’t be refunded by the theatre. There was no coherent explanation which probably added to the frustration.
Carrie saying they were all gutted was probably a trigger particularly as posters were saying ‘no one but Carrie would be more upset by the cancellation’
Facts: Carrie will still be paid. The paying public are out of pocket.
Covid times yes but I think there could’ve been some empathy.

None of the cast get paid:

[stevej678]

Jul 19, 2021 19:03:14 GMT Oleanna said:

Jul 19, 2021 17:18:16 GMT bob2010 said:

So apart from Heathers (which is sold out) are there any other shows on tonight?

Six, Jamie, Joseph, Amelie, Les Misérables.

None of those shows had performances tonight.

[Mark]

I am so gutted for everyone involved. It’s an impossible situation.
Hoping to get rescheduled because I had some great seats for a great price!

[Seriously]

Jul 19, 2021 19:54:45 GMT @furet said:

Jul 19, 2021 12:24:23 GMT stagebyte said:

And Carrie just kept on arguing 😂 just be the bigger person and let it go maybe?
In these times I think anyone can see that it’s not the actors fault that it got cancelled. However I can understand the upset..
The woman (and lots of others who didn’t take to Twitter to vent) got told at 2.06 that the production wasn’t going ahead and had spent money on travel and accommodation not just refundable tickets. We can all say ah well that’s the chance you take in Covid times but how many of us can write off hundreds of ££ - her travel and accommodation won’t be refunded by the theatre. There was no coherent explanation which probably added to the frustration.
Carrie saying they were all gutted was probably a trigger particularly as posters were saying ‘no one but Carrie would be more upset by the cancellation’
Facts: Carrie will still be paid. The paying public are out of pocket.
Covid times yes but I think there could’ve been some empathy.

None of the cast get paid:

If Jessica H Fletcher is on the same contract as everyone else, she needs a new agent.