New York, New York - Productions of Hamilton on both sides of the pond have been forced to cancel performances due to problems caused by coronavirus.

It comes as other theater productions in both the UK and US have shut temporarily due to rising case numbers and the spread of the Omicron variant.

The Hamilton musical on Broadway, New York, cancelled the show just hours before curtain on Wednesday due to "breakthrough cases" of the virus.

Its counterpart at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London, said it plans to recommence shows on December 16 at 2:30 PM for the matinée.

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A statement posted on Hamilton's Twitter said: "Tonight's performance of Hamilton on Broadway has been cancelled due to breakthrough Covid-19 cases."

"Our highest priority is always the health and safety of every cast, crew and audience member inside the Richard Rodgers theater."

The company apologized for the inconvenience caused and said all tickets would be refunded at point of purchase.

Other Broadway shows affected included The Tina Turner Musical, which was forced to cancel both afternoon and evening performances on Wednesday due to "a limited number" of positive test results within the company.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, also playing on Broadway, was forced to cancel its Wednesday matinée but said the evening performance would still go ahead.

The festive period is crucial to theaters for income and reaching new audiences, especially so after most productions were cancelled or delayed in 2020.