Coronavirus: LW Theatres ceases construction at Drury Lane and Gillian Lynne sites

LW Theatres has confirmed that construction work on the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Gillian Lynne Theatre has ceased until further notice.

It comes amid increasing pressure for government intervention around the shutdown of construction sites in order to slow the spread of coronavirus and ease pressure on public transport networks.

A statement from LW, which owns both theatres, said: “Construction on the restoration project at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane ceased today [March 26], apart from essential electrical safety work and security. Construction was also ceased at the Gillian Lynne Theatre.”

The Theatre Royal Drury Lane shut in January 2019 for a £45 million restoration, with work due to be completed in time for Frozen’s West End transfer in November.

Meanwhile, the Gillian Lynne Theatre was undergoing a smaller programme of refurbishment works between School of Rock closing earlier this month and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella musical opening in October.

Lloyd Webber has already pushed back the Cinderella’s opening by six weeks in response to the “current global circumstances”.

Andrew Lloyd Webber delays Cinderella opening amid coronavirus fears