Sydney Musicals Paused

David Spicer reports.

Sydney's two major musical productions are expected back on stage this week, after closing their doors to allow time for the city to get on top of the latest outbreak of COVID-19.

It was announced last week that "out of an abundance of caution the Producers of PIPPIN have decided to cancel the scheduled performances on Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 December due to the current Covid-19 outbreak in Greater Sydney."

The performance of Pippin scheduled for Sunday the 27th of December, 2020 proceeded with a cap on numbers. All patrons who had visited Sydney's northern beaches within the last fourteen days were told not to attend and offered alternative dates.

News of the temporary shutdown was devastating for the industry, recently celebrating the fact that it was one of the only places in the western world allowed to stage fully professional musicals.

However the example of South Australia - which paused for a week to allow the state to get on top of a COVID-19 outbreak - and then bounced back soon after, should provide some comfort to the industry, along with the encouraging news that community transmission rates in Sydney suburbs have stabilised and are confined to the northern beaches.

The Producers of Magic Mike Live announced earlier that performances up until Dec 26 were cancelled.

"After six successful preview performances and incredible audience reaction, Magic Mike Live Australia will resume its performances on Sunday 27 December.

"Guests impacted by any cancelled performances will be contacted by Ticketmaster directly to reschedule and exchange tickets into future performances, currently on sale until 4 April 2021.

"We wish to thank our patrons who visited the show, those who have booked and those wishing to book in the coming weeks & months.  We also acknowledge the wonderful work undertaken by the NSW contact tracers in these difficult days who are keeping us all safe."