Andrew Lloyd Webber delays Cinderella opening amid coronavirus fears

As reported by The Stage UK earlier today, Andrew Lloyd Webber has delayed the West End premiere of his new musical adaptation of Cinderella until October.

A statement from the composer said: “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.”

The musical, which Lloyd Webber has co-written with Killing Eve writer Emerald Fennell, was due to begin previews at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London on August 28, with a press night the following month.

Performances will now begin on October 9, with a scheduled press night on October 28.

The musical, billed as a “complete reinvention” of the Cinderella story, will star Carrie Hope Fletcher in the title role.

Lloyd Webber said full-scale pre-rehearsals of Cinderella will continue to take place with leading actors this month as planned.

The postponement of its performances comes as the Society of London Theatre issues a statement on the coronavirus outbreak, which said there is “currently no clear rationale to cancel events”.

SOLT and UK Theatre said the bodies were in contact with the government to ensure the most up-to-date advice is available for the theatre industry.

A statement said: “Official advice states that there is currently no clear rationale to cancel events or postpone international travel, and the government encourages business as usual.

“We will continue to monitor the situation, plan for every eventuality and share government, NHS and Public Health England guidance with the theatre industry and our audiences.”

Earlier this week, the producers behind the forthcoming James Bond film No Time to Die delayed its release from April to November following an “evaluation of the global theatrical marketplace”.