A number of West End shows remain closed this week because of Covid outbreaks - with Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical Cinderella announcing today that it doesn't expect to return to the stage until early February.

Hamilton, Disney's Lion King, Matilda, Mary Poppins, Back to the Future and Mamma Mia are among productions in the capital that have all been forced to cancel shows as a result of positive cases among cast and crew in the last few days.

Despite stringent infection control measures to protect performers, crews and audiences, the rising number of coronavirus cases across the country and particularly in London is now significantly impacting on theatres - with many forced to cancel ticket holders just hours before shows have been due to start.

Among those to have been suffering from the disruption is Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of Cinderella at the Gillian Lynne Theatre.

After a number of cancellations this week, as a result of positive Covid tests among the company, it was announced this afternoon that a decision has been made to now suspend all performances until February 9.

In a statement it said: "The spread of the Omicron variant is devastating. Like so many theatres up and down the country day after day we are forced to make decisions (often at short notice) based on the latest round of test results. This is incredibly difficult for our cast, company and of course, audiences many of whom have travelled long distances and spend considerable sums on transport, hotels etc.

"To avoid more disruption and to protect the quality of the show we give our audiences we have no option but to suspend all performances of Cinderella until February 9, 2022.

"We are passionately committed to returning sooner if the circumstances improve and we will keep the situation under constant review."

Among the musicals to be staying shut until after Christmas Day are Dear Evan Hansen and The Book of Mormon - both of which are expected to reopen on December 27. Disney's The Lion King remains closed until December 28 as does Matilda while Mamma Mia, based on the songs by Abba, is hoping to reopen on December 29 to ticket holders.

And it is not just live theatre in London suffering from Covid-related closures.

The Natural History Museum and Shrek's Adventure - two top attractions in the capital - are also currently closed. The Natural History Museum says it expects to remain shut between December 21 and December 27, but its ice rink remains open, while Shrek's Adventure, in a message on its website, says it can't open before December 31 due to staff isolating.

Hundreds of NHS key workers who had been given free tickets to a music concert due to take place at the SSE Arena Wembley tomorrow, with headline performances from musicians including Kaiser Chiefs and The Fratellis, have also had their night out postponed until next year.

The National Lottery's Big Christmas Thank You concert was due to take place on December 22 with hundreds of free tickets via a ballot system given to NHS staff to recognise their efforts in fighting the pandemic over the last two years.

But organisers of the event have now announced it is to postpone until April 2022.

A statement said: "We have made the difficult decision to postpone The National Lottery’s Big Christmas Thank You concert until next Spring. Your comfort, safety and wellbeing is paramount to us. So, in partnership with The National Lottery, and the brilliant roster of artists who were giving their time, we have taken the decision to delay the show until next year when we can be sure everyone can enjoy what promises to be a wonderful and unique experience."

"In the meantime, stay safe, and thank you for your continued hard work to help our country through this crisis."

Those who had tickets will automatically have their booking transferred to the new date one it is arranged but more details are available here for those who were due to attend.