Spring Awakening - Almeida / Cinema Release

They did a cut show last night due to absences. I assume there was one at least more today and, despite attempts to make it work, it just didn't. Musicals can't really be done script-in-hand like plays can - there's singing and choreography to contend with. You need at least some rehearsal, and to be able to carry a tune. No one wants to cancel performances. Since they can't reschedule for the same show, I imagine most people will ask for refunds. That is not what a theatre still recovering from the pandemic would invite unless they had no other choice. It's completely valid to be upset - I'm so disappointed I won't get to go back - but I don't doubt they tried everything they could.

Gutted my first trip to the Almeida is cancelled tomorrow. Guess that’s the risk you take currently! Oh well what to see instead?

I’m on a whistlestop trip to London and was supposed to be seeing this tomorrow, having rescheduled from earlier in the run. I know it can’t be helped, but gutted just the same, as this was the show I was most looking forward to.

When the original opened at the Lyric Hammersmith, was the very rapid West End transfer already booked? I remember it being a huge hit in Hammersmith then struggling water the transfer, so I would worry the same might happen again

Not sure if it was already booked but it was very quick. Finished in Hammersmith on March 14th, reopening at the Novello on March 21st. The transfer was announced on February 18th.

It was packed when I saw it in Hammersmith and was also full in the final week at the Novello at the final midweek matinee.

They just didn’t give it any time. Back then shows closed much faster than they seem to now (that and the Novello was far too big)

Feeling very lucky that I was able to see this on Thursday night. As they were already two down at that point I guess they really couldn't afford to lose anyone else.

Gutted for the cast and those who had tickets for the rest of the run - let's hope it reappears soon.

I’m praying for this now. I’d hoped for it when I didn’t get a ticket first time around (only heard about it late in). Of course I was devastated last night but I know the cast would be more, especially when all chance of a closing night was lost.

Their closing weekend is ruined. they didn’t do this to inconvenience you. Get over yourself.

Very much what samuelwhiskers just said! 

I have a lot of sympathy for those who had tickets for one of the very last performances that had to be cancelled, especially if this was going to be their first time seeing the show.  And I can also understand the sense of frustration for being told the show was cancelled less than two hours prior to what was meant to be showtime. 

Having said that, I also have loads of sympathy for a cast of young performers, for some of which this production of Spring Awakening has been the first big credit (if not their first professional credit at all), who have had to contend with the pandemic throughout the run and already had some performances cancelled in the lead-up to Christmas, and who were logically looking forward to finishing their run on a high note... and who have been denied the closure they deserved.  

I have no direct insight, but I guess a possible reason why emails announcing the cancellation went out that late is that those who were still healthy in the cast and crew, the Almeida and the producers had a good think about what could potentially be done to save the last shows, if anything at all.  They probably came to the conclusion that it wouldn't be safe (for the audience and theatre FOH, etc.) to have a cast of close contacts of people who tested positive stand on a stage a few metres away from an audience and belt in their faces for a couple of hours.  On top of that, they possibly also didn't want to close their run with a pared down version of the show they worked so hard and lovingly on.  

Yes, we're still in the midst of a pandemic, so let's be driven by compassion and understanding (even though the ones who're meant to lead us have no f-ing how that is done!).  

I’ve had my refund. I didn’t phone them until last Thursday but it was in my account by the weekend.

I got called to put through my refund on the 29th and when I previously received a refund from them, it took a couple of days to show in my account. However, when by the end of last week the money had still not landed in my account, I called them on Saturday and apparently they had several people call them about not receiving their refunds, so they are investigating as everything looks fine on their side, so they had no idea until they started getting calls late last week.
So I am waiting a few more days before chasing again, as by then I would either expect the money to be there or at least for them to contact people and let them know what the issue is.

I went down the Twitter DM route as I similarly phoned on the 29th and am yet to receive the refund - was told the finance team will investigate and be in touch!