Andrew Lloyd Webber Geared Up To Defy Government Over Reopening Of Theatres

 

Andrew Lloyd Webber has pledged to reopen his theatres barring social distancing later this month “come hell or excessive water” – and is prepared to be arrested for it.

Lord Lloyd-Webber stated his theatres have been suffering “acute economic stress” that could solely be alleviated through completely reopening, which he was inclined to do even if the Government delayed ending Covid-19 restrictions.

He additionally stated he may have to promote his six West End venues; had remortgaged his London home; and claimed he had viewed scientific proof that coronavirus was not spread in theatres.

Cinderella, Lord Lloyd-Webber’s first new musical in six years, is reliant on selling tickets for all seats to recoup its £6 million funding when previews commence on June 25, in advance of its world premiere three weeks later.

Lord Lloyd-Webber’s defiant stance places him on a doable collision course with Boris Johnson, who is under stress from scientists and senior ministers to withstand getting rid of all lockdown restrictions on June 21, the date set out in his road map.

“We are going to open, come hell or excessive water.” Asked what he would do if the Government postponed lifting the lockdown, he replied: “We will say: ‘come to the theatre and arrest us’.”

The composer insisted he had viewed scientific proof that theatres did not spread coronavirus and threatened felony motion towards the Government if the Prime Minister did not stick to his road map.

Cinderella, with an ensemble cast of 34, is solely commercially plausible if potential is dramatically lifted. Under cutting-edge laws, West End theatres can solely function at 50 per cent capacity.

“I’ve seen the science from the tests, don’t ask me how. They all show that theatres are absolutely safe, the virus is no longer carried there,” stated Lord Lloyd-Webber. “If the Government pass their personal science, we have the mother of all legal instances in opposition to them. If Cinderella couldn’t open, we’d go: ‘Look, either we go to regulation about it or you’ll have to compensate us’.”