Lady Thatcher Death To Be Marked By THE AUDIENCE Writer; BILLY ELLIOT Goes Ahead As Written

BWW:UK has learnt that the author of The Audience, Peter Morgan, will be making a short speech at the start of this evening's performance to mark the passing of former prime minister Lady Thatcher, who died today.

Thatcher is portrayed in the play by Haydn Gwynne (pictured).

Update: the producers of Billy Elliot, which also features Thatcher as a character, have confirmed that tonight's performance will be going ahead as scheduled.

The opening of Act Two, featuring the song 'Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher', was performed as written.

Cast member Killian Donnelly tweeted: "After putting a vote to the audience at the top of act 2 here @BillyElliotUK; unanimous YES was seen. Therefore we performed the show as is."