London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

Prince Charles 'praying' that more entertainment venues can reopen

Prince Charles 'praying' that more entertainment venues can reopen

The Prince of Wales has said he is "praying" more entertainment venues can reopen soon, after a theatre visit to watch an actress perform in a break from her day job in a supermarket.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall visited Soho Theatre to show their support for London's arts scene.

Some venues in the capital are now reopening after the latest lockdown.

The royal couple saw Natasha Marshall perform part of her play Half Breed, still wearing her Morrisons uniform.

"I've got to go back later, so it was easier to keep it on, I'll be in such a rush," Marshall told the prince and the duchess.

"It's such a pleasure to meet you. The theatre has supported me so much I jumped at the chance to perform today."


Natasha Marshall's play Half Breed had a run at the Soho Theatre in 2017


Prince Charles replied: "That's marvellous, such dedication. I really enjoyed the performance and I am praying all of you can open soon. I wish you every success."

Soho Theatre is where Fleabag's Phoebe Waller-Bridge began her career, and is the setting for a series of new stand-up comedy specials on Amazon Prime.

Prince Charles and Camilla also visited one of London's most famous music venues, the 100 Club, where acts like the Rolling Stones, the Sex Pistols and Oasis have performed over the years.

Some gig venues and theatres are beginning to reopen for socially-distanced performances after London went into tier two following the lifting of England's lockdown on Wednesday.


The royal couple also watched singer Emily Capell perform at the 100 Club


One of the first West End plays to open is Love Letters starring Martin Shaw and Jenny Seagrove, which begins at the Theatre Royal Haymarket later.

The two-hander had a short run in Windsor before the latest lockdown, when Seagrove said it felt "so emotional" to be back on stage.

"It's just so exciting because it means we're starting to come back," she told BBC Breakfast on Thursday.

"And not just actors and performers and directors, but the make-up girls, the hair girls, the costume people, the technicians - everybody who's just been sitting there for however many months. It feels like a lifetime."


Prince Charles and Camilla added their signatures to the 100 Club dressing room's wall

Prince Charles' signature on the 100 Club wall


Other West End shows opening this week include a staged concert version of Les Miserables starring Michael Ball, Alfie Boe and Carrie Hope Fletcher; and A Christmas Carol with Brian Conley, Jacqueline Jossa and a 24-piece orchestra.

This weekend will also see the return of Six the Musical and the opening of Death Drop, which is described as a "Dragatha Christie murder mystery", starring drag artist Courtney Act.

"It's exciting. We have been rehearsing for the last couple of weeks," Act told the PA news agency.

"I know everybody has been locked at home but we have been being nasally penetrated twice a week and temperature checked every day in our little rehearsal bubble."


Vinegar Strokes and Courtney Act will star in Death Drop at the Garrick Theatre in London


The production has faced challenges like how to portray a murder on stage while maintaining social distancing.

Act said: "Murder from 1.5m is challenging. There is a slapping scene where we ask the audience to further suspend their disbelief."

Further planned openings next week include The Play That Goes Wrong, Everybody's Talking About Jamie and Pantoland at the Palladium.

Many theatres in tier two areas are also opening their festive shows, but venues in tier three areas are not allowed to open. Tier three covers many big cities like Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield, Bristol and Leeds.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×