### Indoor theatre in England to resume with social distancing this Saturday
Originally meant to start up again on the 1st of August before ending up being [**delayed due to a rising prevalence in coronavirus cases**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/indoor-performances-postponed-by-government-for-at-least-a-fortnight), socially distanced indoor performances are now permitted to resume in England on the 15th of August, it has been confirmed.
The news comes after **Beverley Knight** gave a [**successful pilot performance**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/photo-flash-beverley-knight-performs-for-andrew-lloyd-webbers-socially-distanced-pilot-show-at-the-london-palladium) of a COVID-compliant show at the [**London Palladium**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/london-palladium-london) last month. Despite many venues finding it financially impossible to re-open their doors with shows at reduced capacity, it does provide at least some relief for the industry, albeit very small.
### Boris Johnson: "[We] will not hesitate to put on the brakes"
When announcing that socially distanced indoor performances would now get the green light to resume this Saturday, **UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson** also warned: "*[We] will not hesitate to put on the brakes if required, or to continue to implement local measures to help to control the spread of the virus.*"
The loosening of theatre restrictions will not apply to regions in England that are under a localised lockdown due to high rates of infection in the area. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland will autonomously decide when performances will be permitted to take place.
### When will the UK get to Stage 5 and open theatres without social distancing?
The return of indoor performances with social distancing measures in place is considered to be Stage 4 of **Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden**'s reopening plan. It is unlikely that Stage 5 will get the green light before November, according to a recent interview with Dowden, which subsequently caused the [**Lyric Hammersmith**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/132/lyric-hammersmith.aspx) panto production of [***Aladdin 2020* to be postponed**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/londons-lyric-hammersmith-postpones-aladdin-pantomime-to-2021-22-season) along with a number of [**Qdos pantomime shows that have been cancelled this year**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/qdos-postpones-pantomimes-in-aberdeen-edinburgh-and-belfast). Other festive shows could be next as a result of the uncertainty.
## What socially distanced shows are on in London's West End?
So far, theatre fans can look forward to a [**socially distanced autumn season at the Bridge Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/bridge-theatre-to-reopen-with-socially-distanced-shows-this-autumn-featuring-imelda-staunton-ralph-fiennes-and-more), the world premiere of [***Sleepless: A Musical Romance***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/4383/sleepless-a-musical-romance-tickets.aspx) at the [**Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/troubadour-wembley-park-theatre-london), and West End performances of [***The Mousetrap***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/27/the-mousetrap-tickets.aspx), the last of which was made possible thanks to the **Agatha Christie** estate accepting a reduction in royalties and [**St Martins Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/st-martins-theatre-london) offering the production lower rent.
***SLEEPLESS: A MUSICAL ROMANCE*
25 August - 27 September 2020**
🎟️ [**Book London *Sleepless in Seattle* musical tickets here from £18 and up**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/4383/sleepless-a-musical-romance-tickets.aspx).
📖 [**Read how socially distanced performances of *Sleepless The Musical* will work here**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/socially-distanced-london-musical-sleepless-announces-daily-backstage-covid-testing).
🎬 [**(VIDEO) Watch Kimberley Walsh perform the song 'Outta My Hands' here**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/watch-recording-studio-footage-of-kimberley-walsh-singing-outta-my-hands-from-sleepless-a-musical-romance).
***THE MOUSETRAP*
23 October 2020 - 28 March 2021 in an open-ended run**
🎟️ [**Book tickets for *The Mousetrap* showing at London's St Martins Theatre here from £24**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/27/the-mousetrap-tickets.aspx).
📖 [**Read about how *The Mousetrap* plans to re-open in London's West End this October here**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/the-mousetrap-to-reopen-in-october-with-socially-distanced-performances).
📰 Keep following [**our news pages**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news) for all the latest West End and UK theatre announcements and be sure to [**sign up for our mailing list**](https://londontheatredirect.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=baa41972aba69304364eaf6e7&id=0dc745c598) to receive all the latest news straight to your inbox.