THEATRE bosses have hit out at the "London elite" after pictures emerged of a sold out arts performance. 

Chiefs at the Pavilion have told of their frustrations as they shared images from a packed London Palladium last night. 

While insisting it was not the time to welcome people back to theatres, they say it is hard to justify a ban on football fans in stadiums when at the same time hundreds of people were spotted taking in an Andrew Lloyd-Webber show in the capital. 

READ MORE: Pavilion on theatres post covid: We’ve survived two world wars, a flood and a fire

Lloyd Webber's company has since moved to reassure guests safety measures are in place - but Pavilion bosses believe he was allowed to host the event because he is "a Tory". 

In a statement posted online, chiefs at the Renfield Street hub wrote: "How can the London Palladium have a sold out performance last night with ex-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger with what looks like no self-distancing?

Glasgow Times: Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hosted an event in London last night Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hosted an event in London last night

"This does not make sense. There is hardly an empty seat in the house.

"How can they sit in a theatre with very little self-distancing to talk about football but cannot sit outside in a football stadium to watch a game? 

"Is this because Lord Lloyd Webber is a Tory? Is there one rule for the London arts elite and another for the rest of us?

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"This goes against all the current surveys that say people do not want to return to theatres and live entertainment as a whole. 

READ MORE: Pavilion Theatre cancels this year's Pantomime due to pandemic and offers refunds

"This all seems irresponsible but clearly ammunition for us all to re-open all entertainment venues and for football clubs to open stadiums and welcome fans back." 

LW Theatres insisted there was at least 1m space between all parties.

"Social distancing was and is at the heart of all planning of events," chief executive Rebecca Kane Burton wrote on Twitter.

Plans to welcome fans back into football stadiums in Scotland were paused amid the rise in Covid-19 cases across the country.