Wilton's Music Hall unveils May reopening plans

Wilton’s Music Hall will reopen on May 28, with a socially distanced programme of theatre, music, comedy and spoken word.

The London venue has adapted to fit just over 100 audience members with social distancing, and has replaced its seating and improved its acoustics in time for reopening to audiences.

It said the changes would "significantly enhance audience experience" at the music hall, which is the oldest surviving example of its kind.

All shows will run without an interval and will comply with the relevant Covid-19 guidelines.

The line-up includes Justin Butcher’s Scaramouche Jones Or the Seven White Masks, magic double act Morgan and West, a double bill of operettas from Opera della Luna, Jon Brittain’s A Super Happy Story (About Feeling Super Sad), and Apphia Campbell’s Nina Simone-inspired performance Black Is the Color of My Voice.

The programme will begin on May 28 with EastEndless, a black comedy based on the life of an EastEnders super fan.

Holly Kendrick, chief executive of Wilton’s Music Hall, said: "It has been an enormously difficult year, but we cannot wait to reopen and to welcome audiences back to our magical East End building.

"For over 160 years Wilton’s has inspired artists and audiences alike and we can only continue to do this by opening our doors for all of London and for everyone with a curious imagination. Our shows will play to socially distanced audiences, but we look forward to welcoming back full houses as soon as possible."

Season at a glance:

EastEndless by Tim Fountain
Directed by Mike Bradwell
May 28 and 29

Quentin Crisp: Naked Truth by Mark Farrelly
Directed by Linda Marlowe
June 1

Morgan and West’s Fantastic Family Magic Spectacular
June 2 and 4

A Super Happy Story (About Feeling Super Sad) by Jon Brittain
Directed by Alex Mitchell
June 3 and 4

Black Is the Color of My Voice by Apphia Campbell
Directed by Arran Hawkins and Nate Jacobs
June 5
Virgil’s Aeneid: Lessons on Fleeing, Hope and Resilience by Poet in the City
June 7

Tom Carradine’s London Songbook
June 8 and 9

OneTrackMinds
June 10 and 30

Dietrich: Natural Duty by Peter Groom and Oliver Gully
Directed by Gully
June 11 and 12

Scaramouche Jones or the Seven White Masks by Justin Butcher
Directed by Guy Masterson
June 15 to 26

Forugh Farrokhzad – The Rebel Poet of Iran
June 28

Tricity Vogue’s All Girl Swing Band
July 1

Christine Bovill’s PIAF
July 8

Je Regrette! by Sarah-Louise Young and Michael Roulston
July 14

Ashes to Ashes
July 28 and 29

First Piano on the Moon by Will Pickvance
August 2 and 4

Nosferatu with live score
August 10 and 11

Curtain Raisers: Cox and Box by Arthur Sullivan and F C Burnand and Les Deux Aveugles by Offenbach
August 31 to September 4