West End Reopens in 2021 | Complete List of Shows Reopening in London

Last year, all London theatres were forced to stop functioning due to the impending threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. Theatres remained shut for over a year. Even iconic shows like the Mousetrap and the Woman in Black that have been staged thousands of times on various West End stages were forced to stop production. Some London theatres did briefly functioned towards the end of the year. However, it did not remain so for long. The steady rise in COVID-19 cases forced the government to call for a nation-wide lockdown, causing theatres to shut down once again - indefinitely.  

London Theatres - The Reopening

The new roadmap released by the UK government accounted for theatres to reopen from May 17th under the third step of the government’s Coronavirus guidelines. Step 3 will last till 21st June, wherein all London theatres will start functioning with several restrictions and safety measures in place. What are these safety measures put in place by the government? Let’s find out.

COVID-19 Safety Measures for West End Shows & Theatres

• Theatres will function at 50% capacity or with 1000 guests, whichever is lesser.
• E-tickets and print-at-home tickets will replace paper tickets to minimize contact.
• All guests should wear masks and other protective gear.
• High-contact facilities such as cloakrooms may not be functioning in theatres. Therefore, all guests are requested to carry minimum belongings with them. 
• Wherever possible, theatres will facilitate pre-ordering of refreshments in order to reduce over-crowding during intervals. 
• Cashless transactions will be encouraged in order to minimize contact. 
• Guests will be allowed to enter the venue only after temperature checks. 
• All visitors are required to maintain social distancing.
• Hand sanitizers will be provided at each entry and exit.

Is Everyone Allowed to Attend West End Shows?

You are requested to not attend West End shows if you:

• Believe you are COVID positive.
• Have experienced symptoms in the last 14 days.
• Have been in close proximity to anyone who has experienced symptoms in the last 14 days.
• Have arrived in England in the last 14 days and are not covered by the exemption rules relating to self-isolation.
• Have been instructed to self-isolate.

What is the New London Theatre Experience Like?

Even though it has barely been a couple of weeks since West End shows have started again, theatres are seeing a considerable number of guests. Because of the current reduction in the number of seats available, it is recommended that you book your West End tickets a couple of days in advance. 

Apart from the mandatory donning of masks and othe protective gears, indoor theatres will run at 50% capacity, with a maximum of 1000 people in each show. Outdoor shows, on the other hand, can have a maximum of 4000 viewers. While you will be able to sit with your friends or family, there will be sufficient gap between two groups. 

Wherever possible, entry and exit points will be separated to minimize contact. The theatre staff will guide you through the entire process. Pre-booking of meals will be available to prevent over-crowding. In short, all precautions are being taken to ensure that social distancing is maintained throughout the show.

What is the Future of London Theatres?

While London theatres are currently following all the necessary social distancing measures, this will not be the case always. According to the roadmap issued by the government, these restrictions will be lifted as soon as the country enters step 4 on 21st June, provided that the pandemic is under control. Therefore, it is safe to say that theatres will return to normal sooner rather than later.