Re-opened theatres: a running list of socially distanced shows on UK stages

Theatre is back! Albeit with social distancing. There's been a wave of venues reopening with shows that feature safety measures for audiences and reduced capacity to keep you all nicely spaced. All to let you experience the magic of the stage from behind a mask (Phantom style, but with extra mouth coverage).

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Last update: 28 October 2020

National Theatre: Straight out the gate, the National has two productions announced – Death of England: Delroy, penned by Clint Dyer and Roy Williams, as well as a pantomime, plus, early next year, the eagerly anticipated The Normal Heart coming in early 2021.

Curve Leicester: The theatre has announced a massive season of work, utilising its two spaces to form a massive in-the-round configuration.

Greenwich Theatre: The theatre will do a fun revival of A Christmas Carol plus The Wolves of Willoughby Chase – 'set in an alternative history of England'.

Liverpool Playhouse: Humbugs galore will be on show in Liverpool as the theatre gears up to stage A Christmas Carol.

Nimax Theatres, West End: The West End operator has led the charge, with socially distanced productions of Six, The Play That Goes Wrong, Potted Panto, ''''Showstoppers'' and loads more comedy and concerts for arts lovers. Open now.

The London Palladium: Panto at the Palladium is BACK! Alongside a variety of other short concerts and comedy pieces.

Sondheim Theatre: The venue will reopen with a concert-production of Les Misérables in December.

Noël Coward Theatre: New writing in the West End! Produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, The Comeback is the brainchild of comedy duo The Pin.

Minack Theatre: The luscious outdoor venue has been producing wonderful work all summer.

Mayflower Southampton: The theatre is one of a select few hosting a Qdos pantomime, boosted by the National Lottery, as well as a socially distanced run of Six the Musical.

Theatre Royal Newcastle: The theatre is one of a select few hosting a Qdos pantomime, boosted by the National Lottery.

Trafalgar Theatre: The rechristened theatre, formerly Trafalgar Studios, has revealed it will open in spring 2021. The show is to be revealed!

London Hippodrome: A mega cabaret series, with over 40 concerts – will commence next month with the great and good from the showbiz world.

Union Theatre: Socially distanced cabarets from musical theatre graduates are providing a much-needed platform for those without exposure right now.

Southwark Playhouse: The south London venue has brought perspex BACK in the best way to re-stage its halted five-star production of The Last Five Years. Playing now.

Queen's Theatre Hornchurch: The venue will present hybrid productions combining real-life and virtual options.

Nottingham Playhouse: Socially distanced shows and new writing from the likes of James Graham makes this season very exciting. Opening this month.

Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield: The venue is action with one-night-only shows, comedy, music and A Christmas Carol across December.

Royal Vauxhall Tavern: The theatre will be presenting panto from 25 November!

New Vic Theatre: Staffordshire's venue will reopen its refurbished auditorium this autumn for a 'Housewarming' Season'.

Cast in Doncaster: Cast is back! The theatre will present music, comedy, opera and fun revels, as well as Nana-Kofi Kufuor's My Voice Was Heard But It Was Ignored.

Kings Theatre Portsmouth: The venue will be presenting shows and a socially distanced pantomime!

Sadler's Wells: The theatre is back in action with shows running right the way up to the end of the year.

Hampstead Theatre: Pinter's The Dumb Waiter will reopen the bougie north London theatre. Opening in November.

The RSC: The theatre will be staging shows in December and January – with plans to be revealed.

Blackpool Grand – Pantomonium comes to Blackpool! Tom Lister and Steve Royle will present a fun fundraising Covid-safe experience.

Birmingham Rep: Ballet from the Birmingham Royal Ballet will reopen the venue, with the show later transferring to Sadler's Wells in London. Opening this month.

Capitol in Horsham: In lieu of its usual pantomime, the venue will present two socially distanced festive shows – one production of A Christmas Carol and one family show called Santa's New Sleigh,

Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester: A rip-roaring revival of Rent is set to kickstart at the end of the month – the show will also be streamed for those who hasn't already got tickets (eg no-one, as it's currently sold out). Opening this month.

Sheffield Crucible: The theatre will present a variety of work including a socially distanced panto! Opening this month.

Rose Theatre Kingston: A full season of work comes from the Kingston theatre. Opening this month.

HOME, Manchester: A stellar season awaits fans of the Manchester venue – find out more here. Opening this month.

The Lowry, Salford: Six will be wowing audiences for Christmas, while The Gruffalo is being performed for little 'uns. Opening in November.

Dominion Theatre: The massive venue will house a festival run of A Christmas Carol musical, led by Brian Conley.

Theatre Royal Windsor: The venue has a series of socially distanced shows incoming.

Malthouse Arts: The theatre will be staging a socially distanced version of Beauty and the Beast.

Cheltenham Everyman: The venue will stage Tweedy's Reduced Panto from December.

Immersive LDN: The immersive production of The Great Gatsby is back! Ongoing.

The Vaults: With shows including Danté's in Furlough, everyone's favourite sub-Waterloo Station theatre will bring back live shows.

Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury: Canterbury – more like PANTO-bury!

Leeds Playhouse: A great big season of work has been announced at the venue, with Talking Heads, an Ugly Sisters musical and more. Open.

Bridge Theatre: The theatre was one of the first to reopen in August, and will continue to present seasons of work as time goes on, according to one of its co-founders. Ongoing.

Exeter Northcott: Y'arrrghhhh – a festive production of Treasure Island is golden chance to get back into the arts world. Opening in December.

Chichester Festival Theatre: The lauded venue near the south coast will be kicking off its 2020 season with a starry production of Crave. Opening this month.

Theatre Royal Bath: Three big revivals are happening Bath with some excellent casts and directors in tow. Plus a festive run of The Play That Goes Wrong!. Open.

Bristol Old Vic: The theatre will be staging shows both in its main auditorium and its cafe area. Ongoing.

Wilton's Music Hall: One of the most beautiful venues in the world, Wilton's will host cabaret and comedy acts. Opening in January.

Charing Cross Theatre: The central London theatre is back for the world premiere of a new play. Opening next month.

Pleasance Theatre: The theatre will also be producing cabaret and new writing, as well as a cavalcade of to-be-announced comedy. Opening next month.

The Mill at Sonning: The Berkshire venue is back! With the likes of Debbie McGee entertaining audiences. Opening this month.

The Watermill, Newbury: A musical Christmas Carol and more will brighten up Newbury punters this winter, with the theatre revealing plans for socially distanced audiences. Ongoing.

The Barn, Cirencester: A full season of work including Peter Pan and a Sondheim revue are all on offer this autumn. Ongoing.

Alexandra Palace Theatre: Comedy, cabaret and a whopping great concert production of Sunset Boulevard will all head to the beautiful north London space. Ongoing.

Tickets for shows are on sale below.