Indoor theatre performances delayed by two more weeks at least

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that due to increases in cases of COVID-19 in the UK and Europe, it would no longer be possible to open theatres to audiences in the first week of August, and that the government would be 'postponing those changes for at least a fortnight'.

'Until August 15 at the earliest,' he said, 'casinos, bowling alleys, skating rinks and the remaining close contact services must remain closed, indoor performances will not resume, pilots of larger crowds in sports venues will not take place and wedding receptions of up to 30 people will not be permitted.'

Many theatres are very disappointed by the news, having gone to some lengths to ensure that social distancing could be maintained in theatres: Andrew Lloyd Webber held a successful pilot event at the London Palladium last week, aimed at demonstrating how live events could resume safely, but plans will have to be put on hold for now.