LW Theatres commits to paying all staff
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In related news, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals are to be screened on a new YouTube channel called The Shows Must Go On.
Lloyd Webber sent an email to staff in which he acknowledged “how very difficult it is to be denied the ability to be together, not only with our theatre community, but more importantly with many of our loved ones” at this time.
Rebecca Kane Burton, chief executive of LW Theatres, also wrote to all staff outlining the company’s plans for the foreseeable future. “Our priority is to steer our staff and the company through these unprecedented times, so that we can continue to serve customers and provide jobs in the West End for many years to come. I want to thank all our staff for their support, understanding and commitment.
”As things stand we are not making any redundancies. All our staff will either continue to work or become furloughed workers. We have honoured our commitment to pay staff including those who normally only work with us when shows are running. We will continue to support our staff and help them through these difficult times.”
In his own address to staff, Lloyd Webber said, “We have all been affected in a multitude of ways by the horrific and invisible virus which has a stranglehold on the world right now. I know that all of you will be feeling the effects of this pandemic and striving to cope with all that it throws at you. My thoughts are with you all.” he said.
The concept behind The Shows Must Go On is to bring audiences to musicals that have made it to the screen. The series will kick off with the filmed version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, starring Donny Osmond and Maria Friedman.
The second show in the series will be Jesus Christ Superstar, the arena production starring Melanie C and Ben Forster, which becomes available on 10 April.
Each production will remain available for 48 hours. The channel is free, but donations to charities, including Acting for Others, Broadway Cares and Actors’ Benevolent Fund, are encouraged.
(Jim Evans)
