How theatres are responding to Queen Elizabeth's death
Find out how theatre performances will be affected and how theatres are honoring the late monarch.
Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II passed away on 8 Sept. 2022 at age 96, ushering in a 12-day period of national mourning. During her 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth regularly supported theatre and the arts.
Learn how the the U.K. theatre industry is honoring the period of national mourning for Queen Elizabeth and how theatre performances will be affected. This article will be updated with the latest information.
Will theatre performances be cancelled as a result of Queen Elizabeth's death?
Theatre performances could be cancelled on 19 September, the day of Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral. West End shows confirmed to be cancelled on 19 September include:
& Juliet
ABBA Voyage
Antigone
Back to the Future: The Musical
Bright Half Life
Cabaret
Come From Away
Dear Evan Hansen
Eureka Day
Grease
Hamilton
Handbagged
I, Joan
Jersey Boys
Jews. In Their Own Words
Life of Pi
Mamma Mia!
Mary Poppins
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Only Fools and Horses
The Book of Mormon
The Mousetrap
The Phantom of the Opera.
To Kill a Mockingbird
If you have booked theatre tickets for a cancelled performance on 19 September on London Theatre, we will reach out to you with your next steps.
The official guidance from the government is as follows: "There is no obligation to cancel or postpone events and sporting fixtures, or close entertainment venues during the National Mourning period. This is at the discretion of individual organisations.
As a mark of respect, organisations might wish to consider cancelling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the State Funeral. They are under no obligation to do so and this is entirely at the discretion of individual organisations."
Will theatres be available if I'm in The Queue?
If you are in The Queue to see HM The Queen Lying-in-state, the National Theatre will welcome those queuing on South Bank. The National Theatre's main building will be open for refreshments and facilities from 10am-11pm, and after 11pm, there will be 24hr access to a refreshments kiosk and toilets in the Dorfman Theatre.
Will Queen Elizabeth II be honoured at theatre performances?
As per guidance from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, theatre performances will go on as scheduled tonight, 8 September, and during the period of national mourning.
In a statement from the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre on 9 September, they said:
"Following the sad news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, in accordance with official guidance, the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre have advised that theatres are expected to remain open from tonight and for the duration of the period of national mourning up until the funeral.
Theatres across the country will be dimming their lights at 7pm for 2 minutes each evening as a mark of respect, which is theatre’s traditional way to honour those that have passed.
The Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre will be issuing further updates in line with official guidance once timings and details of the funeral have been confirmed, and audiences will be kept informed.
We would like to extend our condolences to the Royal Family at this sad time."
The Royal Shakespeare Company will organise a public screening of the funeral at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Will Her Majesty's Theatre be renamed?
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Her Majesty’s Theatre will be renamed to His Majesty’s Theatre to reflect King Charles III. A date for the name change will be announced in due course.
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