Sunday in the Park with George is officially cancelled after Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey departure

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The West End production of Sunday in the Park with George has officially been cancelled after Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey pulled out earlier this month.

The production was due to run at London's Barbican Theatre in summer 2027 with Grande and Bailey at the helm.

A statement from the company said: "The planned 2027 production of Sunday in the Park with George at the Barbican will no longer proceed as scheduled. Empire Street Productions will retain the rights with a view to presenting the production in 2028. Further details will be announced in due course."

Grande confirmed her departure from the show back in August when she confirmed she was "taking a step back from visibility" after the end of her world tour.

The statement from her reps read: "Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour. She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances.”

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Bailey followed suit at the start of September with the statement: "Ari is one of my dearest friends, and my support for her is unwavering. Marianne is extraordinary and one of my longest collaborators and friends.

"After much consideration, I have decided to also step back from Sunday in the Park with George.I wish the very best to the entire company with what will no doubt be an incredible production, and I will be cheering them on as they continue this journey.”

Initially it appeared the production would continue with new high profile cast members, but now it remains unclear if the production will return. It's also unknown what will fill The Barbican in its place.

The Sondheim musical, featuring a book by James Lapine centres on French painter Georges Seurat as he's completing his most famous work, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, and struggling to juggle the responsibilities a romantic relationship and the life of being an artist.

The musical debuted on Broadway in 1984 and has become a favourite of musical theatre fans.

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