Last Updated on 17 June 2021 by Showcall Editorial Team
Rent: The Concert at Curve in Leicester is the latest production to be postponed after easing of Covid-19 restrictions was delayed until at least 19 July
Curve theatre in Leicester has announced that it has postponed its concert production of Jonathan Larson’s musical, Rent, because of the extension of Covid-19 restrictions.
Rent: The Concert was due to be performed at the theatre from 10 to 21 August 2021, staged in the round and directed by Curve’s artistic director, Nikolai Foster.
However, the extension of current Covid-19 restrictions in England from 21 June to at least 19 July, announced by prime minister Boris Johnson on Monday, has created too much uncertainty.
In a statement today, Foster and Curve CEO Chris Stafford said: “Following Monday’s Government announcement on the extension of the roadmap, we have made the difficult decision to postpone our Made at Curve concert production of Jonathan Larson’s Rent.
“Although it’s hoped we will be able to operate at full capacity by August, with such uncertainty we do not feel it’s in the best interests for the theatre to take the risk of committing finances and resources predicated on a date that may change.
“We realise this news will disappoint our audiences, but rest assured we will do everything we can to bring this incredible musical to Curve in the future. An email has been sent to all those who had purchased tickets for the show and full refunds will be available.”
Today’s announcement followed other theatres and producers postponing openings because the easing of restrictions had been delayed until at least 19 July.
Yesterday, producers Eleanor Lloyd and Rebecca Stafford announced that the reopening of Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution at London County Hall was being shifted from 3 August to 14 September.
In a statement, they said: “Unfortunately, the combined effects of continued uncertainty around a return to full capacity in theatres, no provision of cancellation insurance and the delayed delivery of our promised Cultural Recovery Fund grant are such that we cannot afford to proceed with the rehearsals as planned.”
