News | Entertainment
3 Feb 2026 22:44
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
     03 Feb: Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan have become good mom friends decades after feuding
     03 Feb: Charli xcx is "open" to recording a James Bond theme - but doubts it will happen because of her use of AutoTune
     03 Feb: Hayley Williams has formed a new band called Power Snatch
     03 Feb: Catherine O'Hara's family is planning a "private celebration of life"
     03 Feb: Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's daughter Simone is retiring from the ring
     03 Feb: Seth Rogen felt inspired by Catherine O'Hara during his younger years
     03 Feb: Jason Derulo is set to embark on a new era in his career
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    A friendly jibe from the All Blacks towards their Australian rivals after organisers elected to bypass a blockbuster trans-Tasman clash as the 2027 World Cup opener More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The Aussie official cash rate has risen by a quarter of a percentage point More...



     Today's News

    Soccer:
    Another win in football's OFC Pro League for Auckland FC 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan have become good mom friends decades after feuding 21:31

    Law and Order:
    A homicide investigation is underway after a man died following a night club assault in Napier on Sunday 21:17

    Entertainment:
    Charli xcx is "open" to recording a James Bond theme - but doubts it will happen because of her use of AutoTune 21:01

    Entertainment:
    Hayley Williams has formed a new band called Power Snatch 20:31

    Entertainment:
    Catherine O'Hara's family is planning a "private celebration of life" 20:01

    Entertainment:
    Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's daughter Simone is retiring from the ring 19:31

    Law and Order:
    'Mass exodus' from Cambodian scam compounds a 'humanitarian disaster' 19:07

    Entertainment:
    Seth Rogen felt inspired by Catherine O'Hara during his younger years 19:01

    Business:
    The Aussie official cash rate has risen by a quarter of a percentage point 18:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd