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England and Its Theaters Mourn for the Royal Loss

After the news of Queen Elizabeth II’s death, the last night of the Proms and the Mercury Music Prize awards show was canceled. 

The Proms’ traditional finale was scheduled to happen at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday. However, the event has been called off to mark respect for the loss of the monarch, according to the event’s organizers. 

Meanwhile, the Mercury Music Prize was scheduled to happen on Thursday. However, it was also called off following the arrival of nominees at the London venue. 

Artists like Sam Fender and Little Simz have already been in the venue and rehearsed their show, which was supposed to be screened on BBC Four, when the announcement of the Queen’s death came to light. 

“Our thoughts and condolences are with The Royal Family at this very difficult time,” said organizers in a statement. 

Other album of the year award nominees were Self Esteem, Wet Leg, Harry Styles, and Gwenno. The organizers will give information about a future date “as soon as we are able,” they said. 

On Thursday, the Proms concert was broken off after BBC Radio 3’s Allan Davey made a brief announcement from the state. Eventually, the Philadelphia Orchestra played the National Anthem and Elgar’s Nimrod, and the concert ended early. 

The Royal Box was empty, and the curtain behind the seats was closed as a mark of respect. 

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A Royal Grief

The Royal Opera House has also postponed the opening night of its new productions of Mozart’s Don Giovanni. 

“We are enormously saddened to learn of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” said Alex Beard, the venue’s chief executive, in a statement. “Her patronage of the Royal Opera House was a source of great pride to all our artists and staff, and her long standing support for the arts was deeply appreciated.” 

Furthermore, the Opera House will not be in operation on the day of the Queen’s state funeral. 

A few theaters dimmed their lights on Thursday. However, most performances were done as planned, like the Royal Shakespeare Company’s productions of Richard III in Stratford-Upon-Avon and Matilda The Musical in London. 

“She shall be, to the happiness of England / An aged princess; many days shall see her / And yet no day without a deed to crown it,” the company released the statement, quoting Shakespeare’s Henry VIII, about the baby princess Elizabeth. 

“Translated to our times, Elizabeth II sought the happiness of England with her steadfast service, certainly lived many days, and did a great deed on every one,” the RSC said.

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