Cast – Entertainment says ‘Anything Goes’ musical boosts London audience after Covid-19

Poor Mindy Burrows

LONDON (Reuters) – Cast members of the comedy musical “Anything Goes” hope to take some relief from the COVID-19 pandemic at one of the first major shows to open in London since the easing of coronavirus restrictions in England last week.

The musical, which opened in 1934 and played on a cruise ship between New York and London, began a 12-week run at the Barbican Theater on Friday, starring Tony Award-winning actors such as Sutton Foster and Robert Lindsey.

“They are all escaping depression in the United States,” Lindsey told Reuters. “What a perfect escape from depression.” “It’s a boost to what we’ve been through in the last year and a half.”

As in other places, London theaters, a major tourist attraction, have been hit hard by the pandemic. Some of the smaller venues opened in mid-May with social separation. As of July 19, they no longer need to limit the number of people in the audience.

Despite the relaxation of restrictions, challenges remain.

Last week, songwriter Andrew Lloyd Webber halted production on “Cinderella” after a member of the cast tested positive for Covid-19. Self-isolation rules for the rest of the cast, who tested negative, mean the music must cancel shows. Previews will resume and officially open next month.

(By Mindy Burroughs; Additional reporting by Marie-Louise Jomochian)