Picture: Stephen Cummiskey
This summer’s Old Vic run of the world premiere production of the musical version of 1980s film Local Hero has been postponed due to the ongoing national emergency.
With rehearsals due to begin soon in preparation for the show’s planned London debut in June, The Old Vic’s artistic director Matthew Warchus made the announcement of the delay in a statement released today.
On behalf of all at The Old Vic, he said: “I’d like to convey our great sadness at being forced to postpone this summer’s production of the uplifting new musical Local Hero.
“This beautiful, heart-warming and politically resonant adaptation of the hit film was a huge success with critics and audiences following its world premiere with our partners the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh last year. The brilliant creative team and wonderful cast were all about to dive into rehearsals in the next few weeks. We very much hope you will get to see this production before too long.”
Directed by John Crowley, the Royal Lyceum/Old Vic co-production played the Edinburgh venue from 23 March until 4 May 2019. Co-written by the Lyceum’s artistic director David Greig and Bill Forsyth, the multi-award-winning director and writer of the much-loved original film, the stage adaptation features new music and lyrics by Mark Knopfler, based on the Dire Straits’ musician’s distinctive score for the film.
A month on from the day The Old Vic closed its doors, Warchus’ statement paid tribute to frontline carers and revealed two thirds of the venue’s staff had been furloughed and all staff had accepted a 20% pay cut for the next six months.
Those still working were concentrating on damage limitation and forward planning with weekly morale-boosting Zoom Socials keeping spirits up. Warchus also revealed The Old Vic team is working on developing new ways to interact with children, schools and older people while the theatres remain closed.
Aside from the postponement of Local Hero, the statement confirmed work was continuing on Amy Herzog’s play 4000 Miles which was fully rehearsed at the point of lockdown.
Looking ahead, Warchus announced the return for the fourth festive season of the popular Old Vic production of A Christmas Carol adapted by Jack Thorne.
Confirming the return of the show which has played to packed houses in London and New York, Warchus said: “We think it’s not unreasonable to expect that theatres will have reopened by the time this production is scheduled to perform in November, and so would encourage you to share in our optimism and book now for what will no doubt be a perfect antidote to this very tough phase we are all currently navigating.”
Noting that the same current rules will apply with reference to refunds should the crisis continue to the end of the year, Warchus went on to warn that The Old Vic will need to launch a major fundraising campaign in the near future.
Expressing gratitude to The Old Vic’s supporters in general and to principal partner Royal Bank of Canada and previews partner PwC, Warchus concluded with a message urging people to “stay connected as best we can, salute the heroism of the NHS and all frontline workers, and look towards an ever-nearing brighter horizon. Here’s very much hoping that includes the darkness-into-light tale of transformation, optimism and rebirth – and indeed the celebration of theatre itself – which is A Christmas Carol”.
Angela Thomas
Readers may also be interested in:
Local Hero at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh – Review
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