Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, revealed in a Twitter post today that he had met with Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber and Public Health England to test safety measures for shows at the London Palladium.
He shared a picture on stage at the iconic West End venue and noted that “panto season is key” after seeing “very comprehensive safety measures in place” during his visit this morning.
I saw v comprehensive safety measures in place at @LondonPalladium this morning with @OfficialALW & Public Health England
Despite the huge challenges, we’re working intensively with them & others to get theatres open as soon as safe and I know that panto season is key pic.twitter.com/46cOPbFuyC
— Oliver Dowden (@OliverDowden) July 2, 2020
Inspired by the success of an ongoing production of The Phantom Of The Opera in South Korea, Lord Andrew has previously revealed plans to test safe performances at the London Palladium, with safety measures including thermal imaging cameras, silver ion self-cleaning door handles and more all in place to help prevent any spread of infection.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today Show on 19th June, Lord Andrew said he hoped to “demonstrate to the Government what has happened in Korea at the London Palladium in the first week of July. We’ve just had the final bits of equipment delivered into England. We hope to have them in the theatre next Monday. Then we’re going to do a series of tests there to see whether it’s going to work.”