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London theatres will follow NT’s lead with Sunday openings, forecasts Hytner

Published Tuesday 23 September 2008 at 17:20 by Alistair Smith

National Theatre artistic director Nicholas Hytner has said he believes that the NT’s decision to open on Sundays will have a “domino effect” on the rest of London theatre.

The National began its three-month trial season of Sunday openings with War Horse on September 21 and will look to turn the venue into a year-round permanent seven-day operation from next summer.

Hytner praised staff and unions for reaching a deal to work the extra day and said the NT was “responding to what we very strongly believe the audience wants and needs”, adding that he expected other venues in the capital to follow the National’s lead, with a “domino effect in the West End”.

Already, certain shows open on Sundays - The Lion King has opened the extra day since 2000, while earlier this year Stomp became the first show to play two performances on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Donmar Warehouse’s season at the Wyndham’s Theatre also boasts Sunday shows.

There is a widespread belief that it is now only a matter of time before this becomes the norm - as it already is on Broadway.

Speaking to The Stage, Bectu official Willy Donaghy, who has played a central role in negotiations at the National, said that he “wouldn’t disagree” with Hytner’s belief that there would be a knock-on effect.

He added: “I think that may well be the case. I think the Sunday season at the National will be successful and I think if that is the case, it will become increasingly the norm. Not necessarily every place, but within a certain period of time, it will become the norm. It will be a gradual change for the whole of the industry.”

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