Andrew Lloyd-Webber blasts Boris Johnson Cinderella offer: 'They don't value theatre'
On Monday, the Prime Minister announced that the hoped-for full easing of restrictions would not take place on June 21. There will be another delay. The final stage of lifting restrictions on public gatherings is now projected to happen on July 19. Lloyd-Webber had already publicly threatened to risk arrest and go ahead with opening his new show at full capacity as soon as it started previews on June 25. In response, Johnson announced that Cinderella could be part of a pilot scheme of selected live theatre and sporting events that would be permitted to allow more than 50% capacity. This afternoon Lloyd-Webber issued a length and strongly-worded repudiation.
You can read the full statement below. In it, the theatre impresario states he will not participate in any scheme unless all theatres are able to.
Lloyd-Webber blasts the government’s ongoing policies over capacities as arbitrary and says it shows that theatre is always undervalued and an afterthought.
He states that he would still have been willing to face arrest and fines. However, he decided not to because he was made aware that everyone working on Cinderella would also be subject to the same penalties and prosecution.
With shows sold at full capacity but only 50 percent permitted by the government, all ticket holders will now be contacted.
