Andrew Lloyd Webber Faces £20,000 Fine for Painting Adelphi Theatre

According to a report in the Daily Mail, Andrew Lloyd Webber is facing a E20,000 fine for illegally painting the Adelphi Theatre black in order to promote for his latest musical, PHANTOM sequel LOVE NEVER DIES.

Webber has been asked to restore the theater, and if he refuses, could face legal action. Webber's "Really Useful Theatre Company" lodged a planning application with the Westminster council on January 21, but according to the theatre staff, the painting occurred before they received this application.

Council officers issued a report saying "The works have changed the character and appearance of the theatre and harmed its special architectural and historic interest, and also the Covent Garden conservation area's character and appearance."

The Theatres Trust is supporting Webber, saying that the theater may remain black as long as it is restored at the end of the production.

Whether or not legal enforcement will take place will be decided at a meeting of the council's planning applications sub-committee next Thursday.

A draft of the letter which will be sent to the theatre company reads, "It is a criminal offence to carry out work on a listed building without our consent. We will be pursuing enforcement action for the removal of the black paint."

LOVE NEVER DIES will now aim for a spring opening on Broadway due to Andrew Lloyd Webber's health problems, allegedly. LOVE NEVER DIES was scheduled to open on Broadway on November 11, 2010. Reportedly, Webber is experiencing "post-operative problems" from his recent treatment for prostate cancer, a rep for the production told the New York Times. As BroadwayWorld previously reported, speculation of a delay began weeks ago following the tally of mixed reviews for the production, which opened at the Adelphi Theatre in the West End on March 9.

LOVE NEVER DIES stars Sierra Boggess and Ramin Karimloo, and features direction by Jack O'Brien.
LOVE NEVER DIES continues the story of 'The Phantom', who has moved from his lair in the Paris Opera House to haunt the fairgrounds of Coney Island, far across the Atlantic. Set 10 years after the mysterious disappearance of 'The Phantom' from Paris, this show is a rollercoaster ride of obsession and intrigue...in which music and memory can play cruel tricks...and 'The Phantom' sets out to prove that, indeed, LOVE NEVER DIES.

In celebration of the opening, Decca Broadway released two versions of the new Andrew Lloyd Webber musical LOVE NEVER DIES. Both versions of the CD will be two-disc sets, with the deluxe version including a DVD as well. The DVD will feature behind the scenes footage from the recording session, as well as interviews with Andrew Lloyd Webber, Bob Crowley (set design), and members of the cast. In addition, it will include a music video of the song "Coney Island Waltz" from the show.

Performances of LOVE NEVER DIES in London at the Adelphi Theatre will be Mondays - Saturdays at 7.30pm, with Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets, priced from £25.00 - £67.50 (to include 75p theatre restoration levy and inclusive of booking fees), are available from the Adelphi Theatre Box Office on 0844 412 4651 or online from www.loveneverdies.com.

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