Why is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella closing on the West End?Emily Bashforth

The show has faced a troubled year (Picture: Ken McKay/REX/Shutterstock)

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella musical is closing in the West End, with cast members left furious after reportedly finding out via social media just before going on stage.

The show has had a troubled first year due to the pandemic, with Covid causing performers and crew members to isolate and shows to be cancelled when theatres closed.

Lloyd Webber announced Cinderella’s closure at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, Covent Garden, London, to cast and creatives on Sunday, with the likes of Carrie Hope Fletcher (who plays the princess) outraged by how cast were told they were losing their jobs just minutes before the press.

‘I don’t think I have the words. And if I did I would probably be advised not to say them. Sending love to all impacted by today’s news and by how that news was delivered,’ she tweeted.

Cinderella has been showing in the West End for less than 12 months and a new cast was set to take over in summer, with Strictly Come Dancing finalist John Whaite due to play Prince Charming.

The Great British Bake Off winner took to Instagram to express his devastation, revealing he was due to make his West End debut in July and joining the cast was to be ‘a lifelong dream come true.’

Current Cinderella cast, and their replacements, have been left outraged by how the closure was announced (Picture: Getty)

Why is Cinderella closing on the West End?

Like many live productions, Cinderella has had a tough time of things due to Covid.

In a statement from Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group, he said ‘mounting a new show in the midst of Covid’ had been an ‘unbelievable challenge’.

Cinderella’s arrival in the theatre was initially delayed by a year because of national lockdowns, with later restrictions placing a limit on how many people could see the show.

Government restrictions forced Cinderella to play at reduced capacity during its previews and it’s estimated that the show lost £100,000 per week at this time.

Cinderella’s official opening night was cancelled last minute back in July due to a Covid case in the cast, before finally opening in August.

Lloyd Webber has been critical of the government’s treatment of theatres during the pandemic (Picture: Ken McKay/REX/Shutterstock)

Then, in late December, Lloyd Webber said he was ‘absolutely devastated’ that Cinderella had to close until February due to the Omicron variant.

Lloyd Webber has been vocal about his disappointment in the government’s handling of the pandemic, criticising them for ‘not doing enough’ to support the theatre industry.

It is now claimed that the current Cinderella cast were only contacted via emails or messages to their agents late on Sunday.

Performer Daisy Twells was due to start rehearsals next month before joining the ensemble cast, but tweeted over the bank holiday weekend: ‘This was a dream come true for me and yesterday it was all taken away in seconds,’ revealing that she found out the show was closing through a press release.

Luke Latchman was also meant to be joining the cast, but tweeted: ‘Imagine – planning in your head 100 times what you’re going to say when it’s announced. Telling your friends and family you have something coming and can’t wait to tell them about it. Knowing that career-changing West End lead was coming. Then you see a tweet and it’s all gone.’

The show will remain in the West End until June 12 (Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty)

When is the final West End performance of Cinderella?

Cinderella will close at the Gillian Lynne Theatre on June 12.

However, Lloyd Webber is said to be planning a Broadway version of the show for next year.

‘Thank you very much to everyone involved, particularly our UK audiences who have loved and supported the show,’ said Lloyd Webber in a statement regarding the show’s West End closure.

More: Andrew Lloyd Webber

Can you still get tickets to see Cinderella in the West End?

Those with tickets for performances of Cinderella after June 12 will be contacted by the box office or their ticket agent to discuss their options going forwards.

Broadway previews for a new production of Cinderella, presented with the production company No Guarantees, are due to start in February 2023.

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