Claire Foy and Matt Smith, known for their roles as the Queen and Prince Philip in The Crown, have reunited for a socially distanced stage performance of the play Lungs at the Old Vic in London. The production, which originally sold out last year, is being streamed live to an empty auditorium as part of the Old Vic: In Camera series.
The actors, who play a couple grappling with environmental dilemmas in Duncan Macmillan's work, are maintaining a careful distance during rehearsals. Physically close scenes have been reworked to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
The project aims to revive the theatre's box office revenue, which was severely impacted by the coronavirus crisis. Theatres in England are permitted to reopen from July 4, but live performances for audiences remain prohibited. Screenings with one-metre social distancing are allowed, and Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has encouraged outdoor performances with socially distanced spectators.
