Shows MUST go on: Andrew Lloyd Webber leads backlash against delay to Covid re-opening roadmap
dailymail.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dailymail.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Andoh swapped law for acting
Credit: Dan Wooller/Shutterstock
I grew up an enthusiastic and curious kid in the Cotswolds, in Gloucestershire in the 1960s. My childhood was like Cider with Rosie: blackberry picking and climbing trees. I’m really glad to have experienced that sort of English childhood, but there were certain people’s houses I wasn’t allowed in: “We can’t have that coloured girl in. What would the neighbours say?” You have to learn to navigate your feelings about those things. We were the only black people within 50 miles.
Funnily enough, [hit Netflix historical drama] Bridgerton was filmed at Badminton House, which is a spit from where I grew up. We did all that going to watch the horse trials stuff. There’s a scene in the show where Lady Danbury is having a ladies’ night. In the room where we filmed there’s a painting of Queen Charlotte, whom many historians believe to be the first mixed-race, African-heritage royal person on our throne.
A comedy stage and screen legend, Henry was last on stage in
King Hedley II at Theatre Royal Stratford East. He was also meant to have appeared in a 2020 National show –
Richard Pryor on Fire – but the pandemic has sadly scuppered plans for now. He also has an unspecified role.
Peter Mullan
Trainspotting,
My Name Is Joe and more. Some may recognise him as the menacing Yaxley from the
Harry Potter films. He cut his teeth on stage as part of the left-wing theatre movement that emerged during Thatcher s time in office.
Lloyd Owen
Early in his career Owen worked extensively with Cheek by Jowl, with other credits including
Playwright was behind one of the few plays to open in August, before theatres closed again
30 December 2020 • 5:00pm
Ralph Fiennes stars in a socially distanced performance of Sir David Hare s play Beat the Devil at the Bridge Theatre, London
Credit: Craig Sugden
On 27 August, my play Beat the Devil – starring Ralph Fiennes – opened at the Bridge Theatre. The producer and director Nick Hytner was absolutely determined that British theatre should not close down, so he was the first to get his London theatre reopened.
We had 250 people a night – socially distanced, in masks. The company had daily temperature checks. Ralph was very emotional to be back on stage. He insisted what a pleasure it was to play to an audience who never coughed. And audiences were thrilled to be there. It made people realise that they do miss theatre, and that they need it.
vimarsana © 2020. All Rights Reserved.