The program was set up to examine the risk of transmission of COVID-19 from attendance at events and explore ways to enable people to attend a range of events safely.
was due to reopen fully on June 21 after a crippling series of COVID-19 induced lockdowns over the past 15 months, but this has been pushed back to July 19, due to the rapid spread of the Delta variant of the virus.
Webber’s first new West End show in five years, the £6 million budgeted “Cinderella,” with a script by white hot “Promising Young Woman” writer-director Emerald Fennell, is due to open for previews at London’s Gillian Lynne theater June 25, followed by a world premiere July 14.
The composer turned down a last-minute offer to make “Cinderella” a part of the Events Research Program.
“Last week I rejected the government’s invitation for ‘Cinderella’ to be singled out as a last-minute part of the Events Research Program,” said Webber.
“The government’s actions are forcing theater and music companies off a cliff as the summer wears on, whilst cherry-picking high-profile sporting events to go ahead.
“Along with most of the commercial theater we have had absolutely no direct financial help either for our productions or the upkeep of our historic theater,” the “Les Misérables” producer added.