Thank you Andrew Lloyd Webber for spreading some positivity this morning! The legendary composer has announced that he will be conducting a test at the London Palladium next month in a hopeful step towards reopening our theatres safely.

The Palladium is owned and managed by his company, LW Theatres, and has been chosen for the experiment as it’s the largest theatre they have at nearly 2,300 seats and is therefore likely to be the most “problematic”.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4 this morning, Lloyd Webber said he has been inspired to do this by a production of The Phantom of the Opera in South Korea, which has been open for two and a half months already. He comments on the “incredibly good hygiene” across the building as a whole and the use of thermal imaging cameras – both at stage door and front of house – to identify someone who has a temperature.

Lloyd Webber has purchased similar equipment, including hygienic silver ion door handles, and hopes they will be installed at the Palladium next week prior to testing. He adds that audience members will be fobbed with an antiviral chemical upon entry to the venue and the building itself will be fobbed after each performance, as there will be no social distancing possible.

To listen to the full interview with Lord Lloyd Webber, please click here.