Bosses at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre have revealed that, due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, there will be further postponements to their performance schedule in the New Year.

Shows which have been moved to new dates include a variety of comedians as well as UK tours of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and Mamma Mia.

The Lichfield Street venue can open to 322 people per performance, which adheres to the Covid-19 guidelines. However the programme during the first three months of 2021 is only financially viable if the auditorium can operate at full capacity.

The majority of the programme has been rescheduled to later dates with only a handful of productions being completely cancelled. CEO and Artistic Director Adrian Jackson said, 

“We genuinely hoped that the start of the year would see The Grand return at full capacity, however we must face facts that the country and indeed the world are not yet in a position to fully open. It is another devastating blow, but we remain completely optimistic about the future.

“This news does not mean we are keeping the doors closed. We are planning to open before Christmas with a film screening of A Christmas Carol and a children’s production of Dear Santa.

“We are also in negotiations to deliver socially distanced performances during January, February and March including our involvement with Wolverhampton Literature Festival and a Bollywood Cinema Season.

“As a charity, we continue to provide our vital community work. I am so pleased that our Intro To Pantomime schools tour will be out on the road for a three weeks. Our Memory Cafés are being delivered digitally creating a crucial service for people living with dementia.

“I would like to sincerely thank everyone once again for the continued support shown to this iconic building.”

For the complete listings of rescheduled and cancelled shows, you can visit grandtheatre.co.uk.

Customers who have already booked will receive correspondence that outlines their options for managing bookings. If the theatre does not hold your email address, you will be written to within 10 working days.