Cinderella not going to the ball as Lloyd Webber withdraws musical from live events COVID pilot

Published

3 years ago

June 18, 2021

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Andrew Lloyd Webber has pulled his latest musical out of a government pilot scheme for live events because theatre had been treated as “an afterthought and undervalued”.

The composer’s decision to withdraw his production of Cinderella was “baffling” and left ministers “bemused,” a Whitehall source said on Friday.

The pandemic has had a catastrophic financial impact on the theatre industry and many have remained closed despite the ease in COVID-19 restrictions as it is not financially viable for them to open with reduced capacities.

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The peer, 73, had previously provisionally registered to take part in the plan and earlier this week Boris Johnson said they were having talks and would “do whatever we can to be helpful”.

Earlier on Friday, the prime minister said he was “very confident” lockdown easing could go ahead on 19 July, after the original 21 June date was delayed.

Lord Lloyd Webber said in a statement: “I have made it crystal clear that I would only be able to participate if others were involved and the rest of the industry – theatre and music – were treated equally. This has not been confirmed to me.

“It has become clear that, while sporting events like Wimbledon had obviously been working with the government for some time on this pilot, and were even able to start selling tickets yesterday, the theatre industry and its audiences is, once again, an afterthought and undervalued.”

He said the production, which is being staged at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, would open on 25 June with the venue up to half-full.

The composer, who quit as a Conservative peer in 2017, previously warned he may have to sell his six West End venues if the government does not relax its restrictions as set out in its roadmap for England.

In addition, he said he would be prepared to be arrested in order to fully reopen his theatres on 21 June if the easing of lockdown restrictions was delayed.

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But on Friday he admitted such a move could leave cast, crew, orchestra, front and backstage staff, and even the audience facing fines of hundreds of pounds each which, he said “I couldn’t possibly risk”.

“If it were just me, I would happily risk arrest and fines to make a stand and lead the live music and theatre industry back to the full capacities we so desperately need.”

He said he would personally bear the losses until he can fully reopen the theatre at maximum capacity.

Cinderella “is the product of hundreds of people’s tireless effort for years”, he said, adding: “Win, lose or draw, we have to continue.”

A government source said: “We are bemused that Andrew Lloyd Webber has decided not to take part in the ERP (Events Research Programme).

“This would have given him the opportunity to have audiences at 100% for Cinderella and at the same time play a crucial part for his sector in the fuller reopening.

“It’s baffling that he’s pulled out and is instead opening his theatre at 50% given all the noise he’s been making about opening fully and threatening to sue.

“It’s completely false that the arts and culture sector hasn’t been part of the ERP programme.

“We tested an array of settings including festivals, club nights, the Brits and the Crucible Theatre and are now in discussions with other theatres as part of the next phase of the programme.”

Entertainment

Metallica frontman James Hetfield has Lemmy’s ashes tattooed into finger

Published

7 hours ago

April 17, 2024

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Metallica frontman James Hetfield has Lemmy's ashes tattooed into finger

Metallica frontman James Hetfield has shared details of his latest tattoo – featuring the ashes of the late Motorhead rocker Lemmy.

Hetfield posted a picture on Metallica‘s Instagram account, showing a new Aces Of Spades inking on his right middle finger in reference to Motorhead’s biggest hit.

The singer and guitarist told the band’s 11 million followers the tattoo is “a salute to my friend and inspiration Mr Lemmy Kilmister”, adding: “Without him, there would be NO Metallica.”

He went on to say: “Black ink mixed with a pinch of his cremation ashes that were so graciously given to me. So now, he is still able to fly the bird at the world.”

Lemmy, whose real name was Ian Kilmister, was the founder and frontman of British rock band Motorhead. Formed in the 1970s, the band went on to release more than 20 albums, with hits including Overkill, Iron Fist and Ace Of Spades.

He died in December 2015, just days after being diagnosed with cancer.

Hetfield formed American rock act Metallica with drummer Lars Ulrich in the early 1980s, and the band released their 11th album, 72 Seasons, last year.

They are best known for hits including Enter Sandman, Master Of Puppets, Nothing Else Matters and Until It Sleeps.

‘The most badass tribute’

Hetfield has previously spoken about Motorhead’s influence on Metallica, and in 2022 called for Motorhead to be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

“It’s just a nod, a tip of the cap. What does it really mean to be in there? I don’t know. But to some of these bands it might mean the world,” he said in a radio interview.

“With the passing of Lemmy, it’s really, really important for me to see Motorhead acknowledged in that – because there’s no more rock’n’roll person on this planet than Lemmy.”

Many fans commented on his tattoo photo, with one calling the inking “the most badass tribute possible”.

Another said: “RIP Lemmy. This is a wonderful gift!”

Entertainment

New ‘Drake song’ causes confusion as listeners question whether AI or the rapper is behind it

Published

7 hours ago

April 17, 2024

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New 'Drake song' causes confusion as listeners question whether AI or the rapper is behind it

A new ‘leaked’ song thought to be by Drake is causing confusion among fans, with some questioning whether it is him or an AI clone.

The new song appeared on the internet over the weekend, supposedy after being leaked.

In it, the Canadian rapper seems to hit out at other musicians including Kendrick Lamar and Metro Boomin.

However, fans aren’t sure if it is actually him.

“This is clearly AI,” posted one user on X.

The song hasn’t been officially released and some listeners say they can hear small glitches in his vocal track that suggest it could have been generated by artificial intelligence.

Drake’s AI clone has history.

In 2023, an AI-generated track that recreated the voices of Drake and artist The Weeknd went viral on TikTok.

The song, called Heart On My Sleeve, was created by an artist known as Ghostwriter.

It racked up more than 230,000 plays on YouTube, with more than 625,000 plays on Spotify, according to industry news website Music Business Worldwide, before it was removed from streaming platforms.

At the time, Universal Music Group, which publishes both artists through Republic Records, said songs like Heart On My Sleeve “represent both a breach of our agreements and a violation of copyright law”.

Drake isn’t helping the current confusion.

He hasn’t claimed the track but has been posting about it on Instagram.

He even posted an AI deepfake of rap producer Metro Boomin in a clip from the 2002 film Drumline, which appears to be a reference to one of the lines in the song, “Metro, shut your h*e ass up and make some drums”.

Sky News approached Universal Music for confirmation of the song’s authenticity but is yet to receive a response.

Entertainment

Singer Olly Murs welcomes first child with wife

Published

9 hours ago

April 17, 2024

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Singer Olly Murs welcomes first child with wife

Olly Murs has announced the birth of his first child with his wife Amelia.

The 39-year-old singer published a photo on Instagram of the couple walking down the corridor of a hospital holding hands, with the singer carrying their newborn in a car seat.

He captioned the picture: “Our mini murs has arrived. Madison we love you so much already x.”

The couple announced in December that they were expecting their first child.

The singer married 31-year-old Amelia, a bodybuilder, in a star-studded wedding – featuring a festival called Murs Fest – in July 2023 on Osea Island in Essex.

Murs proposed to Amelia on a south coast clifftop during the Platinum Jubilee bank holiday in 2022.

The singer shot to fame on The X Factor in 2009 and has since released seven albums, achieving four number-one singles in the UK.

Murs returned to present The X Factor in 2015 after hosting its spin-off show The Xtra Factor for two years. He was also a coach on The Voice UK from 2018 to 2023.