BBC News
By Ian Youngs
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The stage is set for English theatres to reopen from Monday, and venues are banking on crowds returning this summer. Which shows are opening, will audiences return - and could the comeback be short-lived?
If a playwright had written the pandemic, a theatre critic might have struggled to pin down its genre - tragedy, thriller, depressing kitchen sink drama or farce?
But they might have recognised the writer s skill in timing the plot twists.
Just as you think you re finally getting to the happy ending, the suspense, tension and terror begin to build again.
By Syndicated Content
By Sarah Mills
LONDON (Reuters) â Standing in a makeshift Paris metro station at Londonâs Criterion theatre, actress Audrey Brisson performs a heart-warming song during a rehearsal for the musical âAmelieâ.
It has been over a year since the production was on the stage in London, and as England takes the next step out of lockdown, the musical, based on the hit 2001 French film, will be one of the first to open in the capitalâs West End.
âIt feels wonderful, it feels heart-warming, it feels exciting, exhilarating. It feels like coming back home,â Brisson, who plays the title role, told Reuters.
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Pubs, restaurants, theatres, cinemas and museums across England are preparing to welcome back customers after Boris Johnson confirmed the return of indoor hospitality and attractions next Monday.
Social distancing markers, hand sanitising stations, mandatory pre-booking and the wearing of face masks are among the measures which will be in place when people return to venues which have been shut for months.
Cinemas, museums, theatres and concert halls will reopen although there will be capacity limits on large events, while pubs and restaurants will be able to serve customers indoors but it will be table service only.
Among the policies being introduced are a virtual queuing system via a QR code at Nandos restaurants, Hollywood Bowl allowing visitors to wear their own shoes, and better air circulation at Vue cinemas.
Source: Mayor of London
During speech at the iconic Shakespeare’s Globe, Sadiq confirms focus on ‘jobs, jobs, jobs’ as he begins second term as Mayor
Mayor launches new ‘Let’s Do London’ campaign to attract domestic visitors to our city and bring central London’s economy back to life
The campaign and events programme backed by industry to kick-start London’s economy will bring together the capital’s world-leading hospitality, culture, nightlife and retail venues to promote all London has to offer
Sadiq Khan will this morning formally sign in for a second term as Mayor of London on stage at the iconic Shakespeare’s Globe, as he announces plans for the biggest domestic tourism campaign the capital has ever seen to help London’s economy get back on its feet as COVID restrictions are eased. He will be joined at the Globe by award-winning British actor and director Adrian Lester.