Boris, give us a date says Lloyd Webber in plea to reopen theatres
THEATRE impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber yesterday pleaded “Boris, give us a date” as he urged the Prime Minister to allow audiences back in.
Lord Lloyd-Webber threw open the doors of his favourite venue – The London Palladium – in a bid to prove to the Government that theatres can open safely without stringent social distancing requirements.
The 72 year old said any rescue plan would be “hopeless” without a set date on which theatres are allowed to reopen.
Pointing out that it could take four months to get a rehearsed show back up to performance level – and as long as nine months for a new show from inception to stage – he said whatever the date theatres desperately need clarity because they “simply cannot open with social distancing in place”.
An invited audience of just 640 – 30 per cent the Palladium’s 2297 capacity – were allowed in to watch a special performance by soul singer Beverley Knight.
But Lord Lloyd-Webber said despite his excitement it was heartbreaking to see the venue with such a sparse audience.
He added: “It’s not great for the audience either. But this is not just about me, it’s about regional theatre too, especially those that desperately need pantomimes to survive.
“We desperately need to get our regional theatres open right now and that can only happen with a date.”
Lord Lloyd-Webber is desperately hoping yesterday’s performance will convince Public Health England officials who were present that safety measures would be sufficient claiming air filtered through the air conditioning is “safer than the air in Oxford Street.”
LW Theatres CEO Rebecca Kane Burton said: “From the very start Andrew has been looking around the world at what other countries are doing, looking for the best way we can reopen.
“Theatre is his life and we have put in this 18 weeks of hard work so the whole industry can benefit. We desperately need action to save jobs, save careers, save theatres and save the economy”.
Last week the Government announced that indoor performances with socially distanced audiences can take place in England from the start of August but Lord Lloyd-Webber insisted this is “not economically possible”.
He said: “The average play needs a 65 per cent capacity and a musical needs more.”
The composer also expressed bafflement as to why people are allowed on an aircraft or inside a pub yet are not permitted to watch a live performance indoors.
Aspiration
He added: “It doesn’t make sense that people can climb on a plane but not enter a theatre. All we want is clarity and consistency. What I am saying is Boris, give us a date, mate.”
Before yesterday’s perfor