Jason Donovan paid tribute to the Queen before performing at the Bristol Hippodrome on Thursday evening (September 8). Queen Elizabeth II, the world's longest-serving monarch, passed away at her home in Balmoral Castle, Scotland, at 96 years old.
The actor, 54, is starring in Joseph and the Technicoloured Dreamcoat at the Bristol theatre this week as the West End production embarks on a UK-wide tour. Donovan gave a short speech just an hour after her death was publicly announced and led a two-minute silence before the start of Thursday night's performance. The production first came to Bristol on Tuesday, August 30.
A spokesperson for the Bristol Hippodrome said: "Everyone at Ambassador Theatre Group is saddened to hear the news that Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has passed away. We send our condolences to the Royal Family and everyone connected to Her Majesty.
Read more: Everything that will be cancelled or postponed following the Queen's death
"Customers with bookings for performances in the coming days will be contacted with further information shortly. In accordance with the wishes of the Royal household, shows at our theatre are currently going ahead as scheduled."
The theatre added that its Customer Experience team has also been given the option to wear black armbands for their shifts over the coming days.
It comes just three months after the actor took to the stage at Buckingham Palace for the Party at the Palace concert in June in honour of the Platinum Jubilee - with him performing in Joseph's technicolour dreamcoat. It had been almost 30 years since he last played the role.
Theatre performances continue during the nation's official period of mourning in accordance with the royal family's wishes. However, the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre has previously said theatres around the country may choose to close in the lead up to the Queen's funeral, which is expected to take place on Monday, September 19.
A statement from SOLT and UK Theatre said they were "deeply saddened" by the news of the Queen's death. The message, from Stephanie Sirr and Jon Gilchrist, joint Presidents of UK Theatre and Eleanor Lloyd, President of SOLT, said: "We are deeply saddened to hear the news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Bristol Old Vic has also remembered the Queen in her last visit to Bristol in 2012 when she unveilled a plaque alongside the Duke of Edinburgh and opened the newly refurbished Royal Box. This was her last ever visit to the city.
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