Opera Australia reboots season of West Side Story, at Crown Theatre until July 17

The lifiting of theatre capacity curbs to 50 per cent has allowed Opera Australia to reboot its stalled season of West Side Story — the biggest musical tour to reach WA since COVID lockdowns began — at Crown Theatre from Tuesday, July 6, until Saturday, July 17.

The cast arrived in Perth in mid-June and opening night was set for June 29 when the latest lockdown forced cancellation of the first week of the run.

But with 50 per cent capacity limits this week, and a planned 100 per cent from Monday, July 12, the prospects for Perth-based shows has suddenly improved.

Performances at the Concert Hall were also cancelled last week, including WA Symphony Orchestra’s rendition of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony and a video of its China tour

A recital by pianist Konstantin Shamray, who had originally planned to tour with the Australian National Academy of Music Orchestra, was also canned.

Shows this weeklend are curtailed, with WA Charity Orchestra’s Music of the Spheres and WA Youth Orchestra’s Rite and Revolution, scheduled for Friday and Saturday respectively, both postponed.

Music of the Spheres will now take the stage on July 31, while Rite and Revolution is seeking a new date.

The winner is string ensemble Cygnus Arioso; originally due to take the stage at 4pm on Sunday, July 11; then rapidly rescheduled for two shows to accommodate stricter limits; and now selling tickets at 2pm and 4pm under 50 per cent limits.

Details of the new rundown emerged yesterday afternoon.

“It’s not just a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ situation,” Concert Hall general manager Brendon Ellmer explained.

“It’s a layered decision-making process that involves many parties.”

National touring organisations have been worst affected by lockdowns.

Australian String Quartet had to cancelled the Perth leg of two tours this year, moving to online offerings.

Musica Viva, which promotes various touring groups throughout the year, has had to scramble several times.

The latest tour leg cancelled would have presented recorder virtuoso Genevieve Lacey and harpist Marshall McGuire on Thursday July 15, at the Concert Hall.

Lacey is especially unlucky as her concert with ASQ at the State Theatre in May was also cancelled.

Both times she had programmed a premiere by WA composer Lachlan Skipworth, Cavern.

On the positive side, West Australian Opera’s production of Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci at His Majesty’s Theatre, from Saturday, July 17 to Saturday July 24, looks set to enjoy full capacity.