The eagerly-anticipated West End temporary transfer run of Six at the Lyric in Shaftesbury Avenue has been extended by 11 weeks into April 2021.
Subject to the upcoming announcement on which tier London will fall into following the end of the current national lockdown, the critic and crowd-pleasing show should become the first West End musical to resume performances on 5 December 2020.
Originally due to temporarily move from its Arts Theatre home to the Lyric from 14 November 2020 until 31 January 2021, the Lyric Theatre run of the rock-flavoured show will now last until 18 April 2021.
The producers also hope the delayed Christmas season of the touring production of the rock-flavoured show at the Lowry in Salford will launch on 4 December if the Greater Manchester borough avoids designation as a Tier 3 area.
Announcing the Lyric extension and the proposed new opening dates, producers Kenny Wax, Wendy and Andy Barnes and George Stiles said: “We have been thrilled and overwhelmed by the response for tickets. Audiences are obviously desperate to get back to the theatre. We hope that after several false starts will be able to proceed in London and Salford as planned.”
With writer and co-director Lucy Moss promising the new London production will be “the shiniest Six yet” the musical will perform nine shows a week during its Lyric Theatre run.
In accordance with Covid-19 safety guidelines capacity has been reduced by 50% due to the need for social distancing. Face coverings will be required, hand cleansers will be widely available and track and trace will be in operation. Other safety measures will include contactless tickets, temperature testing and the deep cleaning of the theatre.
Written by university friends Toby Marlow and Moss, the musical which was nominated in 2017 for our inaugural Best Musical Award is directed by co-creator Moss and Jamie Armitage. The creative team also includes choreographer Carrie-Anne Ingrouille and musical supervisor Joe Beighton, with set design by Emma Bailey, costume design by Gabriella Slade, lighting design by Tim Deiling, sound design by Paul Gatehouse and orchestrations by Tom Curran.
When the pandemic struck Six was playing to sold out houses in the West End, and across the UK and Australia. The show’s opening night in New York on 11 March this year was cancelled just three hours before curtain-up when the New York Governor Andrew Cuomo shut down all Broadway theatres.
Six is expected to return to the Arts Theatre in 2021 subject to the lifting of social distancing. The world premiere production of Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Story is due to open at the Lyric Theatre following the departure of Six.
Angela Thomas
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