Andrew Lloyd Webber: "Operating Theaters While Maintaining Social Distancing Is Impossible"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] "It is economically impossible to operate theaters while maintaining social distancing."

Legendary musical composer and producer Andrew Lloyd Webber (72, photo) said this while appearing before the UK House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee.

According to the BBC on the 8th (local time), Webber said that the damage the arts sector has suffered due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has reached an irreversible point. Webber is the creator of musicals such as "The Phantom of the Opera," "Cats," and "Jesus Christ Superstar," and has been knighted in the UK.

Regarding the damage COVID-19 has caused to the arts sector, Webber emphasized, "The arts sector must be restored," and "The (theater) doors must be opened and operations resumed."

He revealed that in July he conducted an experiment at the Palladium Theatre in London's West End to see if performances could be held while maintaining social distancing. At that time, he was confident that the air inside the theater could be kept cleaner than the air outside.

Webber stressed the severity of the damage by highlighting the nature of performances. He pointed out, "Performances are a highly labor-intensive industry," and "Only a very small number of shows, like 'The Lion King' and 'The Phantom of the Opera,' become blockbusters." He also added that performances are very different from movies. While opening the doors of a movie theater means screening begins, in the case of performances, many tasks follow even after opening the theater doors.

The UK government announced earlier this year that it would provide ?1.57 billion (approximately 2.44 trillion KRW) in support to the arts sector. Webber emphasized, "It is important to set and announce a date for when theaters can reopen."