News | Entertainment
9 Feb 2026 19:02
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Andrew Lloyd Webber is set to receive a trial vaccine for coronavirus

    The 72-year-old composer says he’s determined to prove theatres can “re-open safely” amid the ongoing health crisis, and will even let himself receive the trial vaccination which has been developed by Oxford University


    He tweeted on Wednesday (12.08.20): “I am excited that tomorrow I am going to be vaccinated for the Oxford Covid 19 trial. I’ll do anything to prove that theatres can re-open safely. - ALW (sic)”

    If the trial vaccine is successful it will be a huge step forward in combating coronavirus.

    Meanwhile, the impresario of musical theatre has advocated for the safe reopening of theatres and live performance venues across the UK, and recently said the theatre industry finds itself in a "hopeless" scenario amid the pandemic.

    Speaking after it was revealed theatres could only reopen if they were socially distanced, he said: "The average play needs a 65 percent capacity and a musical needs more."

    Lloyd Webber also accused the government of inconsistency, observing that people are allowed on a plane and inside pubs while strict restrictions remain in place for theatres.

    He added: "All we want is clarity and consistency.”

    The theatrical mogul owns a number of West End theatres in London, and admitted they're currently costing him as much as £1 million a month to run.

    He reflected: "It's a lot of money and we can't do it indefinitely. We've reached our borrowing limits.”

    Lloyd Webber believes the theatre industry has been low down on the government's list of priorities amid the coronavirus pandemic.

    But Oliver Dowden, the UK's culture secretary, recently insisted that's not the case, saying the country's performing arts sector was "renowned across the world".

    He said: "I am pleased that we are making real progress in getting its doors reopened to the public with social distancing."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     09 Feb: Savannah Guthrie has filmed an emotional video demanding proof her missing mother Nancy "is still alive"
     09 Feb: Jennifer Esposito has lost the home she mortgaged to finance her directorial debut film, Fresh Kills, but she is "deeply proud" of herself for following her dreams
     09 Feb: Chris Noth is feeling "very lucky" he is no longer part of the And Just Like That..., after it was cancelled
     09 Feb: Kit Harington feels "very lucky" to be married to Rose Leslie
     07 Feb: Khloe Kardashian has "absolutely no fear about death"
     07 Feb: Dove Cameron was "celibate" before meeting her fiance
     07 Feb: Chris Pratt treats every day like Valentine's Day
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Australian sprint sensation Gout Gout will NOT compete at this year's Glasgow Commonwealth Games, choosing to focus on the world under-20 championships that start just three days later More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Almost 10-thousand Air New Zealand customers have had their travel plans ruined by upcoming strike action this week More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Savannah Guthrie has filmed an emotional video demanding proof her missing mother Nancy "is still alive" 18:51

    Law and Order:
    Christchurch terrorist gives testimony in NZ appeal court as he attempts to vacate guilty pleas over 2019 attack 18:47

    Soccer:
    Sarpreet Singh is highlighting the change at the Wellington Phoenix in his time away 18:37

    Entertainment:
    Jennifer Esposito has lost the home she mortgaged to finance her directorial debut film, Fresh Kills, but she is "deeply proud" of herself for following her dreams 18:21

    General:
    Winter Olympics 2026: Lindsey Vonn hailed as 'idol' by downhill rivals after Milano Cortina crash 18:17

    Business:
    Almost 10-thousand Air New Zealand customers have had their travel plans ruined by upcoming strike action this week 18:07

    Entertainment:
    Chris Noth is feeling "very lucky" he is no longer part of the And Just Like That..., after it was cancelled 17:51

    Skiing:
    She may have topped qualifying - but snowboarder Zoi Sadowski-Synnott's indicating she still has a couple of surprises up her sleeve for tomorrow morning's Big Air final at the Winter Olympics 17:37

    Business:
    The Energy Minister says progress will be swift on a new gas-importing facility 17:27

    Law and Order:
    Closing arguments have wrapped up at an Auckland court martial - where a senior naval officer's pleaded Not Guilty to misconduct 17:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd