Audiences on Sunday and Monday were pictured wearing masks and separated by empty seats - but some felt the theatre was too crowded to be fully Covid-safe. Could Sleepless set a blueprint for theatre? The theatre was being deep-cleaned regularly, with "full decontamination fogging treatments", the company added. Issues would arise with reopening theatres because "no-one gets everything right first time around", he said. The former WW2 ghetto falling into ruin. Other audience members did not share their concerns, however. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. said Julian Knight MP, chair of the House of Commons culture select committee. The London Palladium will go ahead with its annual Christmas pantomime for a socially distanced audience this festive season. Others said they had been put off going to the theatre after seeing the images online. VideoAlone on an abandoned cargo ship, What it's like watching the Soviet Lord of the Rings, The former WW2 ghetto falling into ruin. Royal Ballet back on stage with social distancing, National Lottery backing enables pantos to proceed, Lloyd Webber says arts are at 'point of no return'. If you have a story suggestion email [email protected]. And when we left they filtered people out in rows, there was no bottleneck.". It's down to the wretched virus and the associated social distancing rules. Special Ticket Notice: If you are a ticketholder to The Phantom of the Opera in London's West End, there is no need to contact your ticket provider. Currently the only West End production to confirm plans to reopen with social distancing is The Mousetrap which is set to resume performances on 23 October. "As a result I won't be seeing my parents for a week.". Shenton, who posted images on Twitter from Sunday's show, said the "seating wasn't even staggered... so I'm not sure this was really safe". By clicking "Accept all" you agree that Verizon Media and our partners will store and/or access information on your device through the use of cookies and similar technologies and process your personal data, to display personalised ads and content, for ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Read about our approach to external linking. Many venues have adopted one-way systems, clearly signposted, in order to reduce any potential build-ups of crowds, and all performers and backstage crew endeavour to remain at least 2m apart. Most importantly, all efforts are made to ensure safe social distancing both in the auditorium and backstage. But seating was NOT socially distanced enough. Sri Lanka beauty queen injured in on-stage bust-up1, Greensill lender Credit Suisse axes bosses and pay2, Why world powers are watching Greenland's election3, Friday Night Dinner star Paul Ritter dies at 544, 'We found a baby on the subway - now he's our son'5, Putin critic Navalny 'has cough and temperature'6, N Korea to skip Tokyo Olympics over Covid fears7, What it's like watching the Soviet Lord of the Rings8, Was your number leaked in Facebook data breach?9, Lil Nas X shares defiant message as he tops charts10. He’s undoubtedly been tireless, and last week invited 640 people to watch a show under social distancing conditions at The London Palladium. The 2,200-capacity Palladium was "operating at around 50% capacity", LW said. She posted her own photo from the royal circle, showing white markings on chairs where the audience was not permitted to sit. The initiative will see The National Lottery buy seats that need to remain empty to enable social-distancing, complying with relevant government and public health guidance. Was your number leaked in Facebook data breach? Our Audience Guide outlines all the information you will need for your visit. All events at The London Palladium exceed the Government’s current Coronavirus and social distancing guidelines. Capacity at the London Palladium has been reduced by half to allow for social distancing with other safety guidelines in place. It added: "With the support of public health officials, Westminster Council and DCMS, we have a 1m distance plus safety mitigations - for example mandatory face coverings - social distancing between each customer bubble across The London Palladium, operating at around 50% capacity. Video, Sri Lanka beauty queen injured in on-stage bust-up, Greensill lender Credit Suisse axes bosses and pay, Friday Night Dinner star Paul Ritter dies at 54, 'We found a baby on the subway - now he's our son', Putin critic Navalny 'has cough and temperature'. The star attraction was expected to be expensive misting machines that sprinkle audiences with antiviral spray before entering. Please be advised that due to overwhelming call and message volumes, refunds may take longer than originally planned. The first performance to take place in a London Theatre in months will be a concert from none other than the iconic Beverley Knight. Beverley Knight Performs At London Palladium. They were a key measure that helped a … But LW Theatres insisted there was at least 1m space between all parties. She added that "tens of thousands" of pounds had been spent on ensuring there was a "bubble" around each party. VideoThe former WW2 ghetto falling into ruin. What happens to your body in extreme heat? I don't think so right now. 150 tickets are set to be sold for each date, with strict social distancing rules in place. Others jumped in to defend the theatre, sharing pictures of the socially distanced seating plan in an empty venue, claiming photos of the applauding crowd … Beverley Knight is no stranger to the London Palladium, having performed in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats in summer 2018. Social distancing was & is at the heart of all planning of events @LondonPalladium. Critic Mark Shenton, who attended one of the events, said he believed "social distancing was not complied with". London Palladium defends safety measures after claims it was 'packed' LW theatres insisted all guidelines were carefully followed and that the venue was at only 50 per cent capacity "We were operating at 50 per cent capacity. Because if we don't do that, the lights are going to go dark on many theatres throughout the country. Read about our approach to external linking. There was a large crowd but we were 2m apart. For the greater good of all theatres across the country, what we need is a conditional date for Stage 5, when theatres can reopen without social distancing." They say: "Where you cannot stay 2m apart you should stay more than 1m apart, as well as taking extra steps to stay safe." "The truth of the matter is, with 2m social distancing, you're probably looking at a capacity of 10-15%, and frankly it is completely uneconomic in every single way at many theatres to do 2m," he told BBC News. Information about your device and Internet connection, including your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Verizon Media websites and apps. He wrote: "I didn't have my tape measure with me last night, but I'd like to see proof that there was 1 metre distance between myself and the two women seated directly in front of me (who kept their masks off for much of the show to eat crisps! The London Palladium. Your safety is of paramount importance to us and therefore, across the theatre, we have reconfigured our seating to ensure that audience bubbles are seated at least 1m apart. The photos that circulated online were taken at a musical called Songs For A New World on Sunday, and a Q&A with football manager Arsene Wenger on Monday. )", He added: "On the other hand, temperature checks were made, mask wearing was properly enforced; staggered arrival times meant less crush to get in, and bar service was entirely by seat delivery service. Follow us on Facebook, or on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts. N Korea to skip Tokyo Olympics over Covid fears, Credit Suisse axes bosses after huge losses, Why world powers are watching Greenland's election, Five beasts to look out for in the financial jungle, What to know about the Matt Gaetz controversy, The Nigerian queen who wants to take royal meetings online, Alone on an abandoned cargo ship. © 2021 BBC. Picture: Getty However, Lloyd Webber has condemned the government’s guidance for performing arts venues to reopen with reduced audiences, saying: “Theatre can’t run with social distancing. They said: “The London Palladium was not packed last night for 'An Evening with Arsene Wenger'. Let me assure you that was not the case. Many other people on social media, including TV presenter Piers Morgan, queried why such audiences were allowed in theatres but not football stadia. Andrew Lloyd Webber's company has sought to reassure fans after photos of shows at the London Palladium sparked questions about safety measures. "But big theatres like this? The man himself emerged onto the stage at the start of yesterday's 2pm scheme to a thunderous applause – his moment with his captive pilot audience. ★★★☆☆, Trust regulator on vaccine safety, Johnson says. Anthony Kerr, who queued in the rain to see Wenger, told BBC News: "In my opinion the London Palladium put on a safe event. Photos posted online from the London Palladium spark questions about social distancing guidelines. Theatre blogger Sarah McPartlan said on Instagram: "There have been photos shared that do make it look like the auditorium was rammed. "Social distancing was and is at the heart of all planning of events," chief executive Rebecca Kane Burton wrote on Twitter. In a statement, LW Theatres said this week's performances were "fully in line with and indeed go further than the government's current Stage 4 guidelines for the re-opening of theatres". Director and Producer Michael Harrison said: “Pantoland at The Palladium promises to be a spectacular and exciting celebration of this wonderful art form that has been so devastated and decimated by [the pandemic. But at the same time this shouldn't make us put the brakes on.". "They need to address this for that reason and ensure social distancing rules are followed to the letter. The test will determine whether audiences could safely watch a show in the Palladium without social distancing, which severely reduces the number of tickets that can be sold. This is the maximum amount of people that can currently be accommodated in the 2,297 seat venue when producers comply with the current regulations. The iconic @LondonPalladium auditorium will be reconfigured to adhere to social distancing measures to ensure the safety and comfort of all … Beverley Knight performs during a pilot performance at the London Palladium Last week, Mr Johnson announced that live indoor theatre and concerts … Government guidelines say theatres should "ensure appropriate social distancing". ", "Unfortunately I felt the same," replied theatre blogger Musical Manda. "I've been to the @_bridgetheatre where seats where removed and there was enough distance plus obligation to wear a mask and I felt totally safe there," wrote actor Toby Stephens in response to Shenton's photos. 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