COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Updates
All OffWestEnd venues are currently closed. This webpage is being developed to provide information on online activities and services, including recorded performances, being offered by these venues. It also includes links to pages set up by many venues where you can make a donation to help pay staff and cover their other costs at this difficult time. We have just added this webpage and have invited all venues to send us an update regarding their status, and the page will be continuously updated as and when additional information is received.
For information on individual venues (and their shows), please click on Theatres in top menu above, and select either Browse Events or Browse Venues. Please note that most of the data regarding shows is now out of date – this will be updated by venues when they re-open.
For any queries or to send info to be added to this page, please email info@offwestend.com.
Please note that we have included links where possible – they should all be working – apologies if there are any problems – do let us know if there any broken or incorrect links – send an email to info@offwestend.com.
GENERAL
The following website has a list of online theatre productions, many of which are free to view: https://2ndfrombottom.wordpress.com/2020/03/31/40-reasons-to-stay-in/
There is also a useful update at the London Pub Theatres website: https://www.londonpubtheatres.com/pub-theatre-news/4594058044
There is also All The Web’s A Stage which will be held on 23 April, Shakespeare’s Birthday – more info via twitter: https://twitter.com/theatretogether.
There is also help available for those thinking of applying for any of Arts Council England‘s COVID-19 relief funding. A National Application Reading Service has been put together which will help people get their application into the best shape possible. More information HERE.
OFFWESTEND VENUES
Above the Stag
Currently closed.
The Albany
Click HERE to access updates via their website, and there are also updates available via their social media channels.
Arcola
There was an online viewing up to 26 March, and we are keeping an eye out for future ones. They are accepting bookings for some future productions: https://www.arcolatheatre.com/. Click HERE to donate.
Artsdepot
Click HERE to make a donation. Click HERE to access updates via their website.
Battersea Arts Centre
Click HERE for news and info via their regularly updated website blog and through their social media channels. Donations to help support the artists and communities who work with them can be made HERE.
The Blue Elephant
Still soliciting scripts and production proposals: http://www.blueelephanttheatre.co.uk/press (see report dated 10 March 2020).
Boulevard Theatre https://boulevardtheatre.co.uk/
Closed until further notice.
Bread and Roses
All shows cancelled up to 16 May. You can donate via the homepage – click HERE – and you can also purchase playscripts from there.
Bridewell
You can donate via the homepage – click HERE.
Bridge House Theatre
All shows cancelled.
Bush Theatre
Links via website http://www.bushtheatre.co.uk with info on how to support the theatre and to donate. They are also tweeting news, advice, and a quiz via @bushtheatre, and there are lots of photos on Instagram bushtheatre
Calder Bookshop and Theatre
Updates via twitter https://twitter.com/CalderBookshop and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Calder-bookshop-theatre-150244141684998/.
Camden”s People Theatre
Closed until mid May. Click HERE to make a donation. They are tweeting info on resources to support freelancers – fort example: https://jozara.co.uk/covid-19-self-employed-artists-cribsheet
Canal Cafe Theatre
Vist the website for links to places where reviews are posted for last performances and to buy a gift voucher or make a donation. Their Facebook page is CanalCafeTheatre.
Cervantes
There are two ways in which you can offer financial help to ensure the theatre can stay open when this has passed: via DONATIONS or BECOMING A FRIEND.
Charing Cross Theatre
Images from past productions are on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CharingCrossThr/ and Twitter feed https://twitter.com/CharingCrossThr.
Chickenshed
Click HERE to make a donation.
Chiswick Playhouse
Click HERE to donate to their new Buy A Seat scheme which they have launched in the light of Covid-19. Click HERE to become a Friend of the theatre.
Cockpit
Closed until the end of April (at least). Plan is to go online with Jazz In The Round via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jazzintheround/ – click HERE for more information. Hosting a #TheatreMaker Happy Hour on Thursdays at 5:30pm on Zoom – info on Twitter https://twitter.com/cockpittheatre. Click HERE to join the mailing list for more updates.
Coronet Theatre
Closed until the Autumn season. Click HERE to make a donation. They have now announced Coronet Inside Out, a series of presentations which reflect the multi-artform, international nature of their programme, and the ongoing relationship with the artists they work with. This rolling programme of work will start on 08 Apr, with a new item added each week. Opening with a new poem by Ben Okri called Closed, Still Open, filmed in The Coronet Theatre, the on-going programme includes a film by Jazz pianist Jean-Michel Bernard, Haikus from David Harsent, and work by Lail Arad, Hanif Kureishi, Roberta Lima, Ibrahim Mahama, Hisham Matar, Zadoc Nava and Mitra Tabrizian. Click HERE to access this programme.
Crazy Coqs
From Monday 6 April they are offering a free, online series: Stay at Home with Crazy Coqs. Crazy Coqs artists have been submitting content, some of it previously recorded at the venue, some of it created in isolation. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7.00pm (the traditional start time for our first show), they will post something from our artists on our new YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZXOPwJiG5-olBDU3A_KdXg. Expect a single song or sketch, a series of songs, a nearly full show or even a live-stream. You can find more info via their social media accounts: @CrazyCoqs on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Though this is free, given that many artists find themselves without any means of generating an income during these challenging times, and with much needed government support not promised before June, they are linking these posts to helpmusicians.org, should those enjoying the posts want to make a donation. Click HERE to donate to Crazy Coqs.
Drayton Arms
Updates on their twitter feed https://twitter.com/draytonarmsSW5.
Etcetera Theatre
Updates on their twitter feed https://twitter.com/etceteratheatre. They are taking bookings for the Oktoberfest and Horrorfest in October – click HERE to access their website.
Finborough Theatre
Click HERE for their latest Venue News. Click HERE for details of the ETPEP Award 2020 which is a playwriting prize for new UK playwrights who work in the theatre industry (deadline 30 June). You can also click HERE to donate / support.
Gate Theatre
Click HERE to access their Covid-19 statement. Click HERE to donate or otherwise offer support.
Greenwich Theatre
There will be online events until 31 July on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays as part of Greenwich Connects, an online programme of interactive theatre opportunities for anyone and everyone to express and expand their creativity and engage with other members of the community through a series of weekly events. There next show accepting bookings is the Snow White panto from 20 November: . Click HERE to donate.
Half Moon
Now offering Half Moon Theatre at Home, a new initiative offering families around the world free access to children’s theatre online. Every Wednesday a new production for young people will be made available online at www.halfmoon.org.uk/live, alongside access to backstage interviews, production photos and information about how the shows were created.
Hen and Chickens https://www.unrestrictedview.co.uk/
Closed until 15th April (at least).
The Hope Theatre https://www.thehopetheatre.com/
Currently closed.
Hoxton Hall
Will give further update no later than 1st May. Click HERE to donate.
ICA Theatre
A statement from Stefan Kalmár, Director of The Institute of Contemporary Arts on their website brings a reassuring message ‘All ICA staff will work from home and continue to be paid.’
Iris Theatre
Info is available on their website on their summer season, from 17 June to 30 August. Click HERE to make a donation. Paul Virides, Executive Director of Iris Theatre, is also co-producer of All The Web’s A Stage on 23 April, Shakespeare’s Birthday – more info via twitter: https://twitter.com/theatretogether.
Jack Studio
They will be starting a weekly blog next week (w/c 6 April), with scripts/past productions/quizzes etc. They will also be posting updates on their website. They are currently we are rescheduling shows, and still working on the Autumn programme. Click HERE to donate.
Jacksons Lane
Click HERE to make a donation. Updates are being posted on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Youtube, including short video tutorials tagged #JLShorts.
Jermyn St Theatre
You can donate, using Gift Aid, by downloading the following form: JST Support Form
Katzpace
Temporarily closed “due to the absolute rubbish that is coronavirus”.
King’s Head Theatre
Closed until 11th April (at least) – click HERE for info on options for previously purchased tickets. Online stream Monday to Friday at 1pm to 1.30pm – offering a different window every day into the theatre, and accessible to everybody – click HERE for this week’s programme. You can also find more via their Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Lion & Unicorn
All shows postponed until Easter. Twitter: https://twitter.com/LandUTheatre/
The Little Angel
The theatre is expected to be closed until July but is adding new material daily to its
YouTube channel including popular fairy tales told by Little Angel performers, crafts
for ages 3-11 and puppet shows to make at home. There will be a livestream of Jon
Klassen’s picture book I Want My Hat Back directed by Ian Nicholson and aimed
at 3-6 year olds on Monday 13 April at 11am (and available for 14 days afterwards). Click HERE to make a donation.
Lyric Hammersmith https://lyric.co.uk/website
Closed until 17 April (at present). Taking bookings for Sammy Davis the Musical (opening 28 July). Click HERE to donate. Very active on twitter @LyricHammer with interesting historical titbits and @Spotify podcast links to Studio Talks; Also active on Instagram lyrichammersmith
Millfield Theatre https://www.millfieldtheatre.co.uk/
Closed but “they are keeping hearts, minds and imaginations open”. Website includes a signup for updates.
New Diorama Theatre https://www.newdiorama.com/
Their Associate Ensemble Breach Theatre’s show It’s True, It’s True, It’s True is available to stream online for 30 days from 31 March click HERE for info.
In addition, the Poltergeist team will be live-tweeting along with performance stories, anecdotes from rehearsal, and peeks into the process with the hashtag #LightsOverLockdown. Feel free to join in – you can find them on @PoltergeistTC
Old Red Lion Theatre https://www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk/theatre.html
Performances suspended until further notice.
Omnibus
Click HERE for their statement dealing with their predicament and how to support and carry on engaging with the theatre. Their active twitter account – https://twitter.com/OmnibusTheatre – posts and retweets interesting links about activities and information for writers, actors and punters or you can sign up to get a regular newsletter and access comprehensive selection of videos of interviews with past directors and actors.
OurDay Media have now partnered with Omnibus Theatre so that you can access a DEM TIMES live performance digitally. From YouTube to Instagram TV, podcasts to live interactive broadcasts, Omnibus will be giving audiences and collaborators the chance to connect and engage during these challenging times. Omnibus Theatre Online has launched with a performance of Our Day’s coming-of-age comedy-drama DEM TIMES. This was recorded live at King’s Place for London Podcast Festival 2019 – and you can watch it HERE. There is also a section on this webpage for donations, touching on the financial blow of our original live event having to be cancelled. This is a difficult time for theatres and theatre-makers so if you feel a bit generous feel free to donate any amount.
Orange Tree Theatre
Click HERE to watch Amsterdam online for free, and there are also links to make a donation. They have a very active twitter account @OrangeTreeThtr and are also on Instagram orangetreetheatre
Other Palace (Studio)
No live streaming or live social media platform performances or concerts scheduled as yet but there are links on their Twitter feed https://twitter.com/TheOtherPalace to Myth The Musical – originally produced in March 2018, written by Sam Cassidy and directed by Arlene Phillips which can be viewed on YouTube, and to an “in conversation” with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lin Manuel Miranda as well as other recent interviews; there’s also a link to their Musical Theatre Pub Quiz which will stream live on Monday 13 April and is being produced in partnership with @AllThatProds as a “boredom buster”
Ovalhouse
Currently closed, having vacated its premises at Oval – the plan is still to reopen at a new, purpose-built site in Brixton in Spring 2021. Click HERE for info on their fund-raising activities. You can also Buy A Brick for Brixton (£100, £250 or £500) or Take a Seat (£1,000).
Park Theatre
Closed its doors in mid-March curtailing the run of La Cage aux Folles (The Play) and Corpse! The production of Clybourne Park is on hold but you can catch a glimpse of rehearsals and conversation with the cast HERE and you can follow their fortunes on twitter via #theshowwillgoon and @clybourneParkUK.
The Park Theatre is also using this enforced ‘down time’ to encourage casting directors to peruse the CVs of some of the theatre’s staff, who are also actors, by posting their showreels on Twitter @ParkTheatre And if the disappearance of the day job or the rigours of remaining indoors have prompted the creation of a script idea you might have been kicking around but never had time to develop, well, the Park Theatre is inviting all aspiring script writers to drop them a line. Send your ideas and outlines to @MelliBond, Artistic Associate Director at the theatre and, well, who knows, your play might be chosen for their accelerator programme and a new career may beckon. Melli manages the annual Script Accelerator scheme and also programmes the shows in the Park90 space. The team is also planning free online workshops on how to develop your own theatre company from scratch Sign up at #OVConnect to get involved.
Platform Theatre
Unfortunately their website appears to be down, including the link from Central Saint Martins. CSM itself is closed until further notice.
Playground Theatre
Cafe & bar team are using the Theatre to prepare & deliver hot meals to the elderly, vulnerable and otherwise-in-need residents of North Kensington – you can donate towards their efforts HERE. They are also looking at how they can continue their outreach projects online – click HERE for info on Well Read, their online play reading sessions
Pleasance
Click HERE to access page to donate and continue support. Their twitter account – https://twitter.com/ThePleasance – has all the most recent announcements
Queens Theatre Hornchurch
Click HERE for the latest update on re-scheduled performances.
Rich Mix
Closed “for two weeks from 18 March”. Options to make a one-off donation or to become a member. They are staying active on Twitter, and have launched #RichMixPicks – offering regular selections of art and culture to be enjoyed at home.
Riverside Studios
Launched ‘Virtual Riverside’ – a collection of community activities and carefully curated programming from across the internet to keep you occupied and engaged during the Coronavirus lockdown. The programme can be found here https://www.riversidestudios.co.uk/community/virtual-riverside. Click HERE to make a donation.
Rosemary Branch
Events from May onwards are being updated on Facebook, writing opportunities are being shared on Twitter, and other picture posts on Instagram. Merchandise is also available online though please check if they are processing orders.
Shoreditch Town Hall
Have been hosting some Instagram Lives with artist Harry-Clayton Wright.
Southwark Playhouse
They are organising some special events: on Thursday 2 April 7.30pm there will be the world premiere of The Beast of Blue Yonder monologues. On Monday, 6 April, composer Darren Clark Instagram Live will present songs from The Curious Case of Benjamin Button on YouTube. They are sharing via Twitter recordings of past shows, including a song from Operation Mincemeat and the full production of Bound – the latter is also available on YouTube. The Operation Mincemeat company have also released ‘Dear Bill’ on Soundcloud and there are songs on Facebook. You can also access Young Jean Lee’s (Straight White Men) one-woman show, and her playwriting workshop. Their musical theatre quarantine playlist is on Spotify. Click HERE to access their Donation page. You can also view the song “For Your Light To Shine“ from the musical Fiver from last summer – newly recorded by all the original cast members (in isolation, obv) – on YouTube – WARNING: EMOTIONAL CONTENT!!!
The Space
They are hosting ScriptSpace Readings, monthly Director online meet-ups, and weekly #LiveAtFive on Facebook Live (Mondays at 5pm) – to sign up for these sessions, check their twitter account – https://twitter.com/SpaceArtsCentre
Tara Arts
Limited additional information on their website.
Theatre Deli
Closed until 30 April. Their Twitter feed https://twitter.com/theatredeli?lang=en has retweeted posts from and links to other theatre companies / productions, e.g. [whalesong], a short soundscape uploaded to YouTube, and Benjamin Yeoh’s recent live webinar; Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theatredeli/ carries a donation appeal – included in their “temporary closure” post – and there are similar links as in their Twitter feed.
Theatre Royal Stratford East
They are putting on a virtual play called No Masks – click HERE for details: “We are inviting local key workers to share a video of themselves describing the highs and lows of their encounters working on the frontline during the pandemic. These monologues will then be used to form a virtual play, performed and recorded by professional actors and members of our Young Actors Company. We’ll also be showcasing these videos on our digital story wall. At the end of the project, the final video will free to view online”
Theatre503 https://theatre503.com
The cast and director of Paper Cut which was about to open are looking at ways to film the show and make it available online. The deadline for their 2020 Theatre503 International Playwriting Award has passed and they have 1,719 scripts submitted. They have lively Twitter https://twitter.com/Theatre503 and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theatre503/ profiles which direct automatically to their facility to donate – these are very well maintained with their latest activities and news.
Tower Theatre
They have a regular podcast and are starting “Virtual Tower” on Tuesday evenings (playreadings via Zoom) but this is for Members Only.
Trafalgar Studios (2)
No live streamed or archive performances currently scheduled – their Twitter and Facebook accounts carry the same information
Tristan Bates
Closed until 22 June.
Turbine Theatre
There is a mailing list for updates and a FAQs page for enquiries regarding cancellations and refunds. The Artistic Director Paul Taylor-Mills also set up FFF (Funds For Freelancers) to help actors, creatives, ushers working in theatre affected by the closures – donations have now reached £50k.
The Unicorn
Currently closed until 21 June. Click HERE to make a donation. They will be updating on social media and by email
Union
Click HERE to read their heartfelt letter on their website. Click HERE for info on how you can support them at:
Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate
The production that had just begun its run when the Covid closures were enforced was Once Upon a Mattress – a musical about love, lechery and a legume. Click HERE to check out the behind-the-scenes story of how Offie nominee Beth Burrows collaborated with director Mark Giesser to create the show.
The Vaults
Click HERE to donate, or support the Vault Festival by buying merchandise.
Waterloo East Theatre
All performances postponed until April 28.
Watford Palace Theatre
Click HERE to donate. They are looking to create a new digital project which will be available online and for everyone over the coming weeks.
The White Bear
Not currently raising funds as such though has, like many others, asked ticket-holders for cancelled shows to leave funds in the theatre’s kitty, to help tide it over.
Wilton’s Music Hall:
Closed to the end of April (at least) and the Wilton’s Music 4all Festival has also been cancelled. Click HERE to make a donation.
The Yard
Closed until further notice. The Yard has launched an Art For Isolation series, featuring live and recorded performances, quarantine art challenges, and re-watches of live pre-quarantine party nights. Find them all here: https://theyardtheatre.co.uk/news/articles/live-art-for-isolation/. Click HERE to make a donation.
Ye Olde Rose and Crowne
Nothing special on their website.
INFO FROM COMPANIES & OTHERS
Director’s Cut Viral Verses
These can be accessed HERE.
Housetrap Theatre & Arts Festival 2020
The team at Immersive LDN (the West End venue dedicated to developing and staging theatre-led immersive experiences, which like all London and UK theatres has closed its doors for the foreseeable future) present the Housetrap Theatre & Arts Festival, which will now be taking place on Wednesday 8 April, streaming live from 6.30pm. The Festival is donation based, so audiences can give as they are able, and all the money raised will be shared between the artists performing. #HousetrapFestival
The Ultimatum Game
Two people are shut in a room for an hour with a million pounds. If they can agree within one on how to split it, they get to keep the money. If they can’t agree, they get nothing. The Ultimatum Game will debut on www.twitch.tv/jongracey on Sunday 5 April at 5pm. Tickets are a suggested donation of £5, payable via www.ko-fi.com/jongracey. A Treehouse Production.
Immersive Dracula
Immersive Dracula is a London theatre show about complicity and wilful ignorance when powerful men are accused of dark deeds. They sold out every ticket, and then a week before opening night the coronavirus pandemic forced them to postpone. Many of the cast have lost their second jobs because of the virus and now face food insecurity and/or housing insecurity. Click HERE for more info on their cast hardship fund. They will also be streaming 36 hours of gothic fiction on Good Friday (Apr 10th) at 8pm GMT to raise more funds. The stream will include readings from Dracula, Frankenstein, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and many, many more, from Immersive Dracula’s cast, crew and friends. The entire stream will be presented on Philosophy Tube, the channel of Dracula performer Olly Thorn, with over 35 million views on Youtube.
SIGNAL ONLINE concert – new work by composers of Six, Rags, Parkland and The View UpStairs
This will be held on Tuesday, 14 April 2020 at 7.30pm GMT (3.30pm EST) via YouTube. You can also click HERE to see pictures from previous Signal events. Their social media links are #SIGNALONLINE @ALPmusicals.