Julian Bird News

London’s world-famous West End has come together to make it easier than ever to see a show at the start of 2022. Official London Theatre’s biggest ever New Year Sale offers tickets to nearly 60 shows at £10, £20, £30, £40 and £50 (no booking fees) for performances throughout January and February.

Julian Bird has announced that he is to leave his role as Chief Executive of the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre. During his tenure he has driven positive change across the sector and throughout the pandemic has been a tireless advocate for the theatre industry. Julian Bird will leave in May 2022.

WhatsOnStage has just reported that the West End will dim its lights in honor of late theatre legend Stephen Sondheim. Sadly, the composer and lyricist passed away at 91 on November 26th. The tradition to dim the lights of theaters to pay respect to the greatest contributors of theatre continues with Sondheim's passing. The lights of London's West End theaters will be dimmed on November 29th at 7pm for two minutes.

Through an imagined conversation between a psychiatrist on the brink and the academic who would go on to write books steeped in theology, the play gives a heightened tension to the age old questions of faith, love, sex and existence itself.

Julian Bird, Chief Executive of the Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre, has released a statement following today’s Budget 2021 announcement.

TKTS, London's leading theatre ticket booth, is now officially open for in-person sales from a new building in the heart of Leicester Square Gardens.

Thousands of theatre fans flocked to Trafalgar Square in central London today, which has been transformed into an open air theatre like no other for West End LIVE 2021 – Europe’s biggest free theatre festival – marking the emotional return of London’s world-leading theatreland after 18 months of shutdown.

West End LIVE is finally back on stage, heralding the triumphant return of London’s world-leading theatre industry. West End LIVE will see Trafalgar Square transformed into an open-air theatre like no other, treating thousands of theatre fans to free performances from the West End’s top shows over the weekend of 18 and 19 September. 

Following the announcement that theatres in Northern Ireland can now open to audiences for indoor performances, UK Theatre and SOLT Chief Executive Julian Bird issued a statement.

Following today’s official Government confirmation that remaining Covid restrictions will be lifted from 19 July in England, UK theatres are looking forward to welcoming back audiences. President of UK Theatre, said: ‘This will hopefully be a turning point on the road to recovery and longer-term financial viability for our world-leading sector,'

The Government has announced that it is extending restrictions around COVID-19 contacts in England until 16 August.

Earlier today, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that it will be a bit longer than expected before West End theatres are able to fully re-open. While lockdown rules were previously set to lift on June 21, the next phase will now be delayed by four weeks to July 19, due to the surge of Delta variant cases in the UK.

It was confirmed today by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, that Step 3 easements will begin on 17 May, and that data shows that the government’s “four tests” for easing restrictions have been met. Beginning Monday 17 May, indoor hospitality will be able to reopen and indoor entertainment can resume, including cinemas, museums & children’s play areas.

A year ago, theatres across the country closed their doors due to the pandemic. Today, survey results collected by Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre from across the theatre sector paint a picture of an industry that has struggled to survive the past 12 months and faced huge financial strain - but remains resilient and adaptable.

'The 2021 budget contains the extension of many vital support mechanisms that have helped the performing arts industry through the pandemic, and it is wonderful that the Government recognises the value of our world-leading culture sector.'

Leaders across the music, theatre and events industries have come together to issue an urgent plea to Government to maintain the 5% VAT rate on ticket sales, brought in to help the beleaguered industry last year.

Theatres in London have been told to shut down once again following Tuesday evening's performances.

Julian Bird, Chief Executive of Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre has released a statement following this afternoon's Government announcement regarding post-lockdown Covid restrictions.

It has been announced at today's Society of London Theatre (SOLT) Annual General Meeting that Eleanor Lloyd will be the new President of SOLT.

The thrilling experience of seeing actors live on stage is under threat during the present Covid restrictions. This new book reminds us of what we are missing while theatres are closed. Through the eyes of this legendary photographer we observe how performers get ready to astonish their audiences.