Andrew Lloyd-Webber says he'll risk arrest to reopen his theatres on June 21

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Andrew Lloyd Webber has said he is determined to open his theatres on June 21 regardless of whether restrictions are lifted, and is prepared to be arrested if authorities try to intervene.

The composer and impresario told the Daily Telegraph he may have to sell his six West End venues if the government does not relax its restrictions.

He also revealed he has already remortgaged his London home.

The pandemic has had a catastrophic financial impact on the theatre industry and many have remained closed despite the ease in Covid-19 restrictions as it is not financially viable for them to open with reduced capacities.

Lord Lloyd-Webber is preparing for a production of Cinderella, which is scheduled to open for previews on June 25 ahead of its world premiere in July.

“We are going to open, come hell or high water,” Lord Lloyd-Webber told the Telegraph.

Asked what he would do if the government postponed lifting lockdown, he said: “We will say: ‘come to the theatre and arrest us.’”

Good Morning Britain presenter Richard Madeley said Lord Lloyd-Webber will struggle to break even if he doesn't sell every single seat throughout of Cinderella's run

In response to the comments, the government asked those working in the sector to "please be patient for a few more days".

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick, told ITV News: "We all want to see venues and West End theatres like those operated by Andrew Lloyd-Webber reopen on June 21, if we can.

"But we just need to be careful, we don't want to throw away the gains we've made so far.

"The prime minister is analysing the data so to Andrew Lloyd-Webber and anyone else who works in that sector, please be patient for a few more days and see what the outcome of our review is."

The June 21 “freedom day” is in doubt due to concerns over the impact of Covid-19 variants.

Lord Lloyd-Webber said scientific evidence shows theatres are “completely safe” and do not cause outbreaks.

He added: “If the government ignore their own science, we have the mother of all legal cases against them. If Cinderella couldn’t open, we’d go, ‘Look, either we go to law about it or you’ll have to compensate us.’”

This is not the first time Lord Lloyd-Webber, 73, has criticised those calling for a delay in reopening.

Last week he told the Daily Mail he may take legal action if his theatres are not allowed to welcome back crowds at full capacity.

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