The industry was offered a small glimmer of hope among the gloom of yesterday’s announcement of a delay to step four of the ‘roadmap’ when prime minister Boris Johnson suggested selected theatre productions could be included in a new batch of pilot events as part of the Events Research Programme.
The prime minister’s comments on theatres followed the announcement that the Government would delay the final stage of its reopening plan for up to four weeks due to concerns about the Delta (Indian) variant and to allow for more people to be fully vaccinated.
Replying to a question from the media referring to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s high-profile pleas to the Government to allow theatres to fully reopen, the PM said: “I have got colossal admiration for Andrew Lloyd Webber, the entire theatre sector is one of the glories of this country and it has broken everybody’s heart to see what we’ve had to go through and I bitterly regret the fact that we must be cautious again now.
“On Cinderella, Lord Lloyd Webber’s latest production, I think we’re in talks with him to try and make it work and we will do whatever we can to help him, as I said there are some pilot events that we hope will be able to go ahead in the next four weeks.”
Responding to the PM’s comments, Lloyd Webber tweeted: “My goal is to fight for the full and safe reopening of theatre and live music venues up and down the country. I was pleased and surprised to hear the PM mention Cinderella this evening, but I can’t comment further on the proposed pilot until I know more about the scheme.”
Following the press briefing the Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden confirmed plans for up to 20 sporting and cultural pilot events over the next few weeks. With further details to be announced at a later date however the initial emphasis still appears to remain on outdoor sports events with Euro 2020 Wembley matches and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in trialling large capacity events and with no mention of specific indoor entertainment events.
Although the current date for step 4 in England is now 19 July, the PM did offer some hope for an earlier unlocking during the press conference, suggesting the date could be re-considered if the situation across the country changes in the next two weeks.
While many within the industry had noted that the ‘roadmap’ dates were simply ‘not before dates’, the announcement of the pause at the final stage of the unlocking has hit the live entertainment industry hard.
In a statement in response to the latest setback for the industry, Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre chief executive Julian Bird said: “The proposed four-week delay to full reopening of live entertainment venues will have serious implications for many theatres and performing companies around the country.
“This delay not only impacts productions and theatres preparing to open in the next few weeks, but also shows currently running socially distanced, which had planned to increase their capacity – and producers making the difficult decision whether to start rehearsals for shows due to open in late July or August, with thousands of jobs hanging in the balance.
“Particularly at risk are large-scale commercial productions, which have received little or no Cultural Recovery Fund support and cannot survive under social distancing.
“We urge Government to consider greater support for affected theatre organisations, by offering a tailored insurance scheme, allocating the remainder of the Cultural Recovery Fund, and extending full furlough and the Business Rates holiday.
“Once theatres are given the go-ahead to fully return, we will continue to implement industry-wide ‘See It Safely’ measures including enhanced cleaning, one-way systems, contactless ticketing and security, and the wearing of masks if required.
“The safety of theatre audiences and staff is our top priority, and we want everyone to be confident to return to full houses on the basis of the latest scientific data. We need Government to confirm as soon as possible that restrictions will be lifted by 19 July – a clear, irreversible reopening date will boost audience confidence at a time when it is vital theatre fans support the industry they love.”
Angela Thomas
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