ALW's Cinderella - Gillian Lynne / U.K. Tour (rumour)

I’m not going so far as to call it fraud. I’m just saying there is a lot of confusion out that there right now.

But I don’t see how anyone who has read all the posts on here since “Cinderella” began previews could not conclude that the show was in trouble. Numerous serious posters have talked about the weak score, some of the bizarre bits of business in the show and the nagging realization that the show needs stronger direction. I am only saying that ALW and his associates must have begun having doubts about the state of the show. And as I noted, he has shut down a show before — one that was just as fully produced as “Cinderella” and headed straight for Broadway.

I also just don’t buy that ALW threw out a statement today that was as carelessly and cruelly worded as what we now have. The statement unmistakably suggests that show is closing down for good., It may in fact be a ruse. But if it is, ALW is doing himself no favors by playing this sort of game at this juncture. All the drama he was generating in his previous statements about defying the government’s COVID restrictions, remember, came before the show started previews. Now, for the past three weeks, ALW has seen exactly what he has on stage with an audience present.

Also I think plenty of people had a look at that statement before it went out today. I don’t think it could have been that carelessly worded by mistake.

If “Cinderella” resumes performances at some point in the very near future, all I am saying is that ALW is going to have a lot of explaining to do. And none of it will reflect well on him, however he tries to make sense of his comments today.

A few friends of mine are involved in this production and it is absolutely going to resume performances as soon as the isolation period has ended for the affected cast member. ALW’s careless statement is completely in character- but NOT helpful, or fair to everyone relying on the show to pay their bills.

It of course now turns into a logistical nightmare that they somehow have to sort out an alternative opening night when tickets have been sold for all performances as regular shows.

These poor box office staff. What a job right now.

I too have booked another visit to Heathers on Weds as my split ticketing train ticket wouldn’t allow a full refund so I’m not losing a theatre trip because of ALW’s petulant ego. I booked my train for Weds about an hour before ALW’s statement was released which is the real bugger. I’m not bothered about the 2 x £19.50 for the tickets. I’m bothered about his total disregard for the people who had enough faith in his new show when he clearly doesn’t. The way I feel today makes me never want to see it. £40 odd quid for a signed album too. Feeling a bit cheated today as somebody invested in this show.

Was just featured on ITV news and they said it was a temporary closure

No one demanded explanations from the producers of Hairspray or Joseph and they're not doing so for the Six tour. I think 'Covid shut us down' is the explanation that will be given - and it seems like an accurate one. Perhaps an apology for a poorly worded, possibly hastily written statement, but even that I think would be unlikely.

That’s all very well but no one should be having a go at the cast or creatives. They want the show to go ahead as much as anyone.

I’m afraid that anyone booking theatre tickets, trains and hotels at the moment are doing so with the risk of losing money if a show is cancelled. You’d have to be pretty dim to think the show will 100% go ahead.

I agree, most of the my bookings at the moment are spread out so that I can rearrange if things do get cancelled last moment. 

I think, at least until the rules change in mid August, theatre is in real trouble, especially productions with a large cast/crew. The covid rate is about 1 in 95, and higher in London and is going to rise significantly over the coming days/weeks. One person testing positive basically then shuts down your production for days with only a few hours to call it off as many others will have to then self isolate. This will likely happen again and again. I suspect this reality is sinking in for everyone, including ALW. It is going to surely make almost any production unworkable.

And now we are hearing indications from ministers that restrictions will be put in place again in September and I'd guess that will include in theatres. A show like Cinderella will likely take ages to recoup and that certainly won't be by September.

I take ALW's press release as part realisation that this is all a huge nightmare, and part lobbying government for different restrictions for theatre to make it viable.

Either way, awful for everyone who loves or works in theatre and I can understand all the upset.

What needs to happen
is the government pays for any shutdown of any theatre they allowed open.
Remember ALW did not shut down the show they did.
Simple really

In Australia we had job keeper and as much as an arse Scott is. It was a really good decision


Having welfare to protect jobs is better than having welfare for people without jobs from businesses that had to shut . Although neither is bad

Yes, the issue here is definitely the ‘how’ not the ‘what’. His narcissistic blame game is so ill advised. He seems to think that just saying something will make it so.

Or Daily Mail hyperbole. I think the fact they are saying tickets will be back on sale soon means it's nowhere near an indefinite closure.

And from 16 August company members won't have to isolate if they are fully jabbed, so it isn't much longer until he gets what he wants anyway. More publicity, that's all.