Production ended by Covid before it began

Performances of The Rhythmics at Southwark Playhouse have been cancelled before they officially began.

Significant disruption has prematurely ended the production's run: there have been absensces in the company due to illness, two press night performances were delayed, and there is "ongoing uncertainty in the wake of recent Government announcements".

Producers Aria Entertainment, Metta Theatre and Edward Prophet said the show closed on Sunday (December 11), ahead of the press night and three weeks earlier than planned.

"With the necessary self-isolation requirements for confirmed Covid-19 cases, and the fact that productions of this scale are unable to contract and rehearse significant understudies, the decision has been taken to cease performances entirely."

On Wednesday (December 15), the National Theatre announced it had cancelled upcoming performances of Hex and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time due to illness in the company.

"As the Omicron variant rapidly works its way into the population, theatres everywhere are faced once again with tough and urgent decisions, despite the rigorous regimes in place, in order to keep their companies and staff safe," Director Rufus Norris said.