London Sunday in the Park With George Cancelled

What's happened

A London revival of Sunday in the Park With George at the Barbican has been cancelled after Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey withdrew. Empire Street Productions will retain rights with an eye to a 2028 staging; further details will be announced.

What's behind the headline?

The Situation

• Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey have withdrawn from the planned 2027 Barbican production of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park With George.
• Empire Street Productions has stated it will retain rights and consider a 2028 staging.

Why This Matters

• Star power can drive ticket sales; losing Grande and Bailey likely shifts the market and may affect investors’ confidence.
• The move raises questions about production timelines for high-wattage revivals and how companies navigate public scrutiny of performers.

What Might Come Next

• A new cast will be announced for a potential 2028 revival, with Marianne Elliott possibly returning to the project.
• The Barbican schedule and Empire Street Productions’ financing will shape when the show returns.

How we got here

Grande and Bailey pulled out earlier in September, prompting producers to pause the plan. The show was to be directed by Marianne Elliott and staged in 2027 at the Barbican, inspired by Georges Seurat’s painting. The cancellation follows the pair’s exits and evolving scheduling considerations.

Our analysis

AP News reports on Grande and Bailey’s withdrawals and production’s decision to pause 2027 showings. The Guardian and BBC Business provide additional context on the cancellation and future plans. Independent covers related statements from Bailey and production team.

Go deeper

• Will the 2028 revival feature Grande or Bailey, or will new leads be found?
• What other Sondheim revivals are considered benchmark for ticket demand and critical reception?

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