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THE SCOOP | Andrew Lloyd Webber Says Toronto Will Not Reopen Theatres Until January 2021

Michael Vincent

Andrew Lloyd Webber has shared a video to promote his film version of Love Never Dies on Twitter.

In the video, he made a curious comment at around the 5:25 mark regarding when Toronto’s theatres will be opening again.

“I just heard that Toronto is not reopening its theatres till January,” Webber said. “So, I guess it will go to Toronto, but I don’t know when or how”.

The statement came in reference to the touring production on Love Never Dies, a sequel to the Phantom Of The Opera, which is scheduled to hit Toronto between December and January as part of Mirvish’s 2020-21 season.

Does Andrew Lloyd Webber know something we don’t know?

We were not able to reach Mirvish, but asked the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and they responded to confirm they had “not heard that timeline.”

We also reached out to the Canadian Opera Company and they said they “are actively preparing for a return to the stage with our 2020/2021 season,” but as far as they know things will remain closed for now.

While we were not able to confirm the January timeline, we do know that Toronto’s “Big 8” cultural institutions met with Ontario MPP Hon. Lisa MacLeod on April 9, to discuss the COVID-19 crisis closures.

The meeting included the Toronto International Film Festival, The Art Gallery of Ontario. The Royal Ontario Museum, Soulpepper Theatre, The Toronto Symphony Orchestra, The Canadian Opera Company, The National Ballet of Canada, and HarbourFront Theatre.

The Ontario Government is hoping to ease physical distancing measures once the COVID-19 infection curve begins to flatten. Until then, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has extended the province’s state of emergency until May 6, 2020. This means all non-essential services, including venues, will remain closed — for now.

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