New Capital Theatre in London delays opening, and Dirty Dancing revival, until 2026

The Capital Theatre in west London has pushed back its opening date to 2026.

The theatre will feature a purpose-built, 620-seat auditorium, designed by the same team responsible for notable London venues including the Bridge Theatre and the transformed Kit Kat Club, home of Cabaret.

The venue’s owners have said that the delay is due to “planning and design issues during the early stages of construction.” They also now intend to “take the opportunity to further enhance the venue, adding a full-size double height rehearsal studio and additional backstage and front of house facilities.”

Covering 35,000 square feet, the venue will include an intimate auditorium where no seat is more than nine rows from the stage.

The theatre will debut with Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage, a production that has enjoyed a decade of sold-out runs across the UK. Performances will now begin next year, with further details to be revealed in due course.

Current ticket holders will be contacted.

The statement in full: 

“Due to encountering planning and design issues during the early stages of construction of the Capital Theatre at Westfield London, the opening date of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage is to be delayed.

The producers apologise for the inconvenience that this may cause and are contacting all ticket holders directly

The producers are taking the opportunity to further enhance the venue, adding a full-size double height rehearsal studio and additional backstage and front of house facilities. These additional extensions and improvements require the build to extend beyond the end of 2025, so that the show and the brand-new theatre can open in 2026.

Further details and new dates will be announced in due course.”