'No way I would miss this' - Royal Albert Hall prepares to reopen at full capacity
Record ID:
1627759
'No way I would miss this' - Royal Albert Hall prepares to reopen at full capacity
- Title: 'No way I would miss this' - Royal Albert Hall prepares to reopen at full capacity
- Date: 19th July 2021
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) COMPOSER, DAVID ARNOLD, SAYING: ''We had our first rehearsal yesterday, and when the first few bars of music happened, I think everyone was just a little bit damp in the eye department. It was you were reminded about how special it is, not only because you're in this building, but the communal thing that happens when people play music together and the way that that actually directly lights up every part of your brain. It's the only thing in the world that does it.'' VARIOUS OF VENTILATION UNDER SEATS (SOUNDBITE) (English) COMPOSER, DAVID ARNOLD, SAYING: ''We were optimistic about July the 19th. I'm still optimistic about July 19. I know we're here, but you never know when something's going to go 'ping'. I've been, I've locked myself away for two weeks because there is no way that I would ever miss this. So I've been sort of isolating myself and locked away, almost having food passed under the door and not really seeing anyone. So I know I'll be all right. And everyone's been so ultra careful, the performers, the orchestra, the choirs - the rehearsals, things that people are doing in order to make this work is sort of superhuman. And I think we will have an audience tonight who will be very aware of that and also grateful just to be here and to be next to people and to have that sort of shared energy.'' CORRIDOR INSIDE THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL/REHEARSALS TAKING PLACE SIGN READING (English): "150 - ROYAL ALBERT HALL"
- Embargoed: 2nd August 2021 20:08
- Keywords: 150th anniversary concert Royal Albert Hall concert coronavirus reopening at capacity ventilation project
- Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Europe,Music
- Reuters ID: LVA003EMICAX9
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Prestigious London performance and events venue the Royal Albert Hall is set to open at full capacity on Monday (July 19) for the first time since March 2020, but said the pandemic has been financially devastating.
From Monday the British government's main COVID-19 restrictions in England ended meaning concert venues and theatres no longer have social distancing rules to comply with and can sell all available seats.
The Royal Albert Hall is an independent charity, making the majority of its money from ticket sales and donors. During the pandemic, CEO Craig Hassall said they lost 60 million GBP in income and took a 20 million GBP loan from the British government's Culture Recovery Fund.
''This is the worst situation we've been in for an awful long time. But I'm confident now that we're back on our feet and performing again, we can trade our way out of our deficits,' he said.
Like many venues across the capital they have made changes to keep audiences safe, including a 900,000 GBP ventilation project and the introduction of a code of conduct for audiences and performers that includes wearing masks in public places.
Nearly 300 performers are involved in Monday night's birthday concert ''A Circle of Sound'' celebrating the hall's 150th anniversary.
''I've locked myself away for two weeks because there is no way that I would ever miss this,'' the show's composer David Arnold told Reuters.
The production, which also features star guests including actor Michael Sheen, musician Melaine C and sports star Nicola Adams sold about 80-85% of their tickets.
The Royal Albert Hall was opened by Queen Victoria and named in memory of her husband, in March 1871, was forced to close its doors for the first time since World War Two due to the coronavirus pandemic.
(Production: Sarah Mills, Lisa Keddie) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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