Andrew Lloyd Webber Delays ‘Cinderella’ Musical in the West End

Andrew Lloyd Webber sent out a moving statement sharing the “heartbreaking” cancellation of the Cinderella opening and the reason behind it. As one of the cast members tested positive for COVID-19, the British regulations mandate a ten-day quarantine for anyone in close contact with the infected person.

It seems like Cinderella will be late for the ball. Cinderella, the musical in West End London, was supposed to open on Saturday for “Freedom Day,” which is when the government would pull out all pandemic-related restrictions. But, they had to cancel the play’s opening.

The musical’s composer, Andrew Loyd Webber, posted the news on Twitter. His statement revealed the bad news of a last-minute change of plans after a cast member tested positive for COVID-19. Andrew Lloyd said, “Freedom day has turned into closure day.”

A statement from Andrew Lloyd Webber pic.twitter.com/bP8wgq2Nyt

— Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella (@ALWCinderella) July 19, 2021

Andrew Lloyd Webber furious because Cinderella can’t go to the ball.

— Peter Baxendale (@peter_baxman52) July 20, 2021

The composer blames the “blunt instrument that is the government’s isolation guidance.” The British mandatory COVID-19 rule says that anyone who has contact with someone infected has to stay home for ten days, tracking the citizens with an app on their phone. So, the rule is applicable despite the vaccination status or negative results.

So sad. I’m due to see it on Wednesday, have been so excited, travelling from Cumbria. Supposed to be a celebration after my Grade 8 musical theatre exam. Awful how covid has caused so many cancellations, as well as upset for all. Good luck to all. Fingers crossed for Wednesday💞

— Lilly Nulty (@LillyJNulty) July 19, 2021

Hence, the crew got tested many times after having close contact with the infected cast member. All of which the results came back negative. The show already delayed its performance on July 17 due to a positive COVID-19 case. And now, Cinderella was halted on the new opening night on July 19. As Lloyd divulge in his statement, “As a precautionary measure, we canceled two shows on Saturday while we carried out further tests.” But, due to regulations imposed by the government, Lloyd had to cancel the opening as well.

Ludicrous to think that this morning there are 60 healthy cast and crew from Cinderella sitting at home unable to go to work because of suffocating & unworkable government policy.

— Matt Hemley (@MattHemley) July 20, 2021

Andrew Lloyd finished the statement with an emotional message, “We have been forced into a devastating decision which will affect the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of people and disappoint the thousands who have booked to see the show. Cinderella was ready to go. My sadness for our cast and crew, our loyal audience, and the industry I have been fighting for is impossible to put into words. Freedom Day has turned into closure day.”

Cinderella will have a modern take on the Oscar-winning screenwriter Emerald Fennel story. With Andrew Lloyd Webber composing the music and David Zippel is writing the lyrics. Furthermore, the play star Carrie Hope Fletcher as Cinderella. Along with Victoria Hamilton-Barritt as the Stepmother, Ivano Turco as Prince Sebastian, Rebecca Trehearn as The Queen, Georgina Castle and Laura Baldwin as Cinderella’s stepsisters, and Gloria Onitiri Godmother.

I’m impressed by how quickly I went from “I don’t know about this” to “I will sell everything I own to see this” while listening to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella

— Cari Zwerg (@carissazwerg) July 20, 2021

As a spokesperson for the show said, “It’s hard to see a route forward under the current rules. But we will do everything we can to come back.”