DC to cease production until further notice

May, 2003 -- The Trustees of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company have decided to postpone planned productions due to the current poor economic climate of the West End theatre and the likely unavailability in the future of their preferred theatre venue.

The D'Oyly Carte Opera Trust, which is a registered charity, will continue to trade as usual with the D'Oyly Carte Music Hire Library and concert performances but opera production will be scaled back until the economic climate has improved for the commercial theatre.

The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company does not receive support from any public funding either nationally or regionally and derives its income solely from box office and ancillary income from its commercial productions.

It is hoped that the company may resume its productions in the future when favourable economic conditions permit.