Are you aware of the push for the gov to support the Theatre industry?

[cosmobrown]

There is a big campaign within the industry to lobby the gov for a rescue package. I just wondered if people outside the Theatre industry were aware of this??
Thank you.

I am slightly on the periphery so I know about it from industry contacts, but I did notice it on bbc breakfast the other day.

i love going to the theatre and hope our local one is open soon.

I am but that’s because I go to ballet and classical concerts and follow dancers on instagram/ listen to R3. There’s a lot on the culture pages but whether it’s cutting through to the mainstream...
I don’t think people realise what a big employer the arts industry is, and the knock on it’ll have on restaurants and bars if theatres close.

Arts education is in a bad enough way in this country, and the impact of companies closing and outreach programs ending is heartbreaking.

I am because I am on mailing lists for three theatres I go to.

The arts are in general one of the areas of soft power for the UK, and employ a lot of people. I think theatres could be open for some shows with social distancing, just as cinemas will be doing.

Many theatres need a high % of ticket sales to break even. More so than cinemas.
Most West End shows have closed now until 2021. Many will reopen with reduced musicians, cast and crew.
Local theatres are closing permanently.
Many London performers have fallen foul of the govs £50k cap on the self employed and have received no money from the Self employment scheme.

The worry is that the government have said theatre's can open, even though they cannot have live performances, no singing, adhere to social distancing etc etc, so the government may use this as an excuse to not support the industry as technically they can open. It is a really scary time to be in the industry. If the government doesn't do something I hate to think what will happen over the next few months.

I am because of Facebook groups and the fact that I love going to shows.

I do some work that is connected to the theatre industry and was involved with a production that was cancelled because of covid 19.

Venues and production usually need a high % occupancy (like around 75%) over the course of a run to break even. Social distancing even at 1m is a non starter without massive government subsidies.

Most venues are assuming it is likely they won't be able to open in 2020. They are really hoping that it might be possible to open for their Christmas shows because they are so financially crucial, but that is the best case scenario.

Many actors and cast members have second jobs in the hospitality industry to earn enough to live on and are completely screwed now.

The margins are so tight at the best of times that a lot of theatre companies and venues won't survive this.

Our theatre scene was one of the most vibrant in the world. Who knows what it will be like after this.

It is very sad.

Yes i am aware as it was on the news.

I am. I've deliberately booked tickets for next summer in the hope that places will be able to reopen.

@romeolovedjulliet - not anytime soon I fear

I love going to the theatre, heard something on the radio earlier about a rescue plan... Fingers crossed

This is a really interesting podcast about whether theatre can survive post-covid. It's worth a listen - the second one down on the link.

www.thetimes.co.uk/podcasts/stories-of-our-times

Even if they were allowed to open, I don't think the public will have enough confidence in large gatherings to attend and make it worthwhile. It's not feasible to say to venues that they should do outdoor performance because many are in cities and don't have an outdoor space.

If theatres go under, there will be a lot of hotels and restaurants that go with them, along with reduced parking fees going to councils and much less money for train and bus operators during those hours. That's going to be a lot of jobs.

well at least dh's tax bill will be smaller next year.

I know this is from 2014 www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/11001177/Almost-twice-as-many-people-visit-the-theatre-than-attend-Premier-League-games.html but still stands I think. The industry is worth several billion a year to the economy. Several regional theatres have now gone under.
The industry heads are begging the govt for £1billion. To put that into perspective, EasyJet - one company - was given half a billion.

Only because the Guardian keeps banging on about it. If it was not for that, I would know nothing about it.

Yes but only because I work for a theatre! It’s very worrying. You need several weeks / months lead time for a production so even if theatres were able to open they can’t do so at short notice. Social distancing, even at 1 metre, just doesn’t make it profitable.

Many tv and film writers, actors, directors etc. Come from a theatre background so if we lose a thriving theatre industry it will have a much wider impact both on the economy but also in terms of people’s leisure time.

Government have, predictably, been utterly useless. More theatres will go under I think.