Andrew Lloyd Webber rejects offer to join pilot events scheme

Andrew Lloyd Webber says he won't take part in the Government's pilot events scheme because the rest of the theatre and music industries aren't being "treated equally".

The impresario has backed down on claims he will risk arrest to stage Cinderella to a full house on the West End. "While I would happily risk arrest and fines to make a stand," Webber said, his cast and crew would likely be fined also.

"It has become clear that while sporting events like Wimbeldon had obviously been working with the Government for some time on this pilot and were even able to sell tickets yesterday (June 17), the theatre industry and its audiences [are], once again, an afterthought and undervalued."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson suggested Webber take part in the Events Research Programme, which undertakes mass events as a way of gauging their safety. 

Instead, Webber says he will personally underwrite his losses until a fuller reopening, hopefully on or before July 19: "I could not look my young cast and crew in the eyes to tell them we were delaying or closing down."