Nica Burns, The Chief Executive of Nimax Theatres has announced that all six theatres owned by Nimax will re-open in sequence from 22nd October. The theatres will feature a special programme until long running shows can return. Burns has confirmed that Harry Potter and The Cursed Child will definitely return to the West End once full capacity is possible.
Nimax operates six London Theatres; The Palace, The Lyric, The Apollo, The Garrick, The Vaudeville and The Duchess. The first of the specially programmed shows to be staged will be This is Going to Hurt written and performed by ex-NHS doctor Adam Kay. The first performance on 22nd October will be a free performance for NHS Staff. Further programming is to be announced in the coming weeks.
The Theatre’s will re-open with special measures in place, including social distancing for audiences. This means that Nimax will operate at a loss, but it is hoped that the revenue raised will contribute to the running costs and save jobs once the Job Retention Scheme ends on 31st October.
“On the six-month anniversary of the last performance in the West End I am delighted to announce that we will be switching on all our lights and re-opening with a special season of fantastic entertainment. First up from 22 October to 8 November at the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue is This is Going to Hurt written and performed by ex-NHS doctor Adam Kay. His first performance on Thursday 22 October is a free performance for NHS staff only.
Our programme of special shows will reopen each of our six theatres prior to the return of our brilliant long running shows. Details of this special season of shows will be announced over the next fortnight.
Our biggest show, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will definitely return once social distancing has ended and the Palace Theatre can play to full capacity. Also returning are Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Apollo theatre), Magic Goes Wrong (Vaudeville theatre) and The Play That Goes Wrong (Duchess theatre).
For our special season, our theatres will open with social distancing plus robust risk mitigation to comply with current government COVID-19 Secure guidelines. Although with reduced capacities it is not possible to make a profit, we will be earning a contribution to our costs. With the furlough support scheme ending on 31st October, this income will help us retain Nimax’s highly skilled, experienced workforce and give work to some of the talented tapestry of freelancers onstage and backstage. We will also be able to support some of the many teams and businesses which together give our audiences a night to remember. Our theatre community cannot wait to get back to work safely.
As culture secretary Oliver Dowden wrote this week, ‘…theatre is a lynchpin of London’s West End and its absence is painfully reflected in its deserted streets.’ Even with reduced capacities at our theatres, we can entertain over 20,000 customers a week who we hope will re-energise the beating heart of our city, particularly the cafes, bars and restaurants that are an essential part of the fabric of the West End. Ticket sales for those venues that have managed to open so far, both outdoor and indoor, have been strong and we cannot wait to welcome audiences back safely.”
Nica Burns, The Chief Executive of Nimax Theatres has announced that all six theatres owned by Nimax will re-open in sequence from 22nd October
