NHS workers and actors at first London premiere since lifting of most COVID restrictions

Record ID: 1628200

  • Title: NHS workers and actors at first London premiere since lifting of most COVID restrictions
  • Date: 22nd July 2021
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 22, 2021) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** ACTOR SALLY PHILLIPS POSING FOR PICTURES/PHOTOGRAPHERS PHILLIPS/PHOTOGRAPHERS VARIOUS OF PHILLIPS POSING PHOTOGRAPHERS PHILLIPS TAKING PICTURE WITH FANS VARIOUS OF ACTOR JENNY SEAGROVE POSING/ PHOTOGRAPHERS PHILLIPS IN INTERVIEW NECKLACE ON PHILLIPS SAYING, (English) ''KELLY' - IN REFERENCE TO LATE ACTOR KELLY PRESTON (SOUNDBITE) (English) ACTOR SALLY PHILLIPS, ASKED ABOUT BEING BACK AT A PREMIERE, SAYING: 'Bit nerve racking, yeah, a bit nerve racking. It's really nice though. It's so nice to see everybody. And and yeah go to the cinema. So, yes, we've been testing like lunatics, and so, yes, so here we go, let's let's see, let's hope we all enjoy it.''
  • Embargoed: 5th August 2021 21:53
  • Keywords: NHS workers Off The Rails Sally Phillips covid premiere red carpet
  • Location: VARIOUS UNKNOWN FILM LOCATIONS/ LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
  • City: VARIOUS UNKNOWN FILM LOCATIONS/ LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Europe,Film
  • Reuters ID: LVA001EMX9AVH
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Actors, workers for Britain's National Health Service (NHS) and a flash mob were all out for the premiere of comedy "Off the Rails" on Thursday (July 22), the first major red carpet event in London since most COVID restrictions were lifted in England.
    Despite a wave of new cases in Britain, Prime Minister Boris Johnson ended most regulations in England on Monday (July 19), such as the need to socially distance.
    Out to enjoy the film screening in central London's Leicester Square, where a flash mob called 'Club Mob' also performed, were some 150 NHS staff, including Fidelia Essell-Uwagbae, Head of Nursing at Vaccination Centre, The Street.
    "Absolutely excited to see the nation coming back to as close to normal as it can but we still need to take those precautions," she told Reuters on the red carpet.
    Daily positive cases have been broadly rising in Britain for a month but a rapid vaccination programme appears to have weakened the link between infections and deaths, with daily fatalities remaining at relatively low levels.
    "(It's a) bit nerve racking ... it's really nice though. It's so nice to see everybody and go to the cinema," said British actor Sally Phillips, who stars in the film about a group of women carrying out their friend's dying wish for them to complete an interrailing trip, where they travel across Europe by rail.
    "We've been testing like lunatics, and so here we go, let's see, let's hope we all enjoy it."
    Phillips, known for her role in the Bridget Jones movies, is part of an ensemble cast including late actress Kelly Preston, who died last year after battling breast cancer, Oscar winner Judi Dench and singer Andrea Corr.
    The film's soundtrack features remastered hits from New York City new wave and punk group Blondie, including tracks ''Call Me'' and ''One Way or Another''.
    While there was no need for masks on the red carpet, they were on offer to guest and organizers also reduced numbers of fans in the crowd pens and allowed more space for the press.
    ''Off the Rails'' is out in UK cinemas from Friday (July 23).
    (Production: Sarah Mills, Will Russell)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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