Andrew Lloyd Webber says we're at 'point of no return' over struggling arts sector
Musical theatre legend wants government to allow theatres to reopen
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber has warned that the arts sector is at “the point of no return” as it continues to struggle amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The musical theatre legend has been trialling measures at the London Palladium that could allow British theatres to reopen.
A production of Sir Andrew’s musical The Phantom of the Opera was able to go ahead in South Korea with strict hygiene measures and no social distancing.
“I'm absolutely confident that the air in the London Palladium and in all my theatres is purer than the air outside,” Sir Andrew told the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee.
He said of socially distanced performances and the forthcoming Frozen musical: “Disney would be lucky to make their investment back on that show for two or three years. The margins are incredibly tight.”
Sir Andrew later said it was essential to get the arts sector “back open and running … We are at the point of no return really”.
He suggested that arts funding could be channelled better, “rather than putting it down a bottomless pit … chucking money to keep these buildings going”.
Asked whether he had received an answer about why people are allowed to travel on planes but not attend theatre shows, Sir Andrew said: “I have not had a satisfactory answer.”
The 72-year-old, who is holding socially distanced auditions for a new production of The Phantom of the Opera, said it could take “between three or four months” to get up and running again.
“A new show coming from scratch, that would be longer. If I were allowed now to go ahead with my new show, the earliest we could start rehearsals would be January because we've got to cast it. We're doing the best we can with socially distanced auditions.”
He had a final message for the government: “Give us a date."
Additional reporting by Press Association
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments