English Theatres set to reopen on Monday

The stage is set for English theatres to reopen from Monday, and venues are banking on crowds returning this summer. Which shows are opening, will audiences return – and could the comeback be short-lived?

In the real-world theatre industry, venue bosses have had to decide whether to open from Monday at step three of the government’s reopening roadmap, when capacities will be restricted to 50%, up to a maximum of 1,000 people.

Many have chosen to wait until step four, planned for 21 June, when they will be able to play to packed houses.

But new Covid-19 variants have thrown that date – our appointment to get back to “normal” in many aspects of life – into doubt. We are on the edges of our seats.

On Friday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the Indian variant “could make it more difficult to move to step four in June”, but no decisions have been taken.