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Original poster

If audiences/spectators are allowed at events this summer, will you go?

106 replies

Donatella · 13/02/2021 16:48

I have various plans to attend sporting events and theatre shows this summer, some held over from last year, some booked in hope things will be normal, some booked with social distancing plans in place. I don't know if they will go ahead, but if they do, I'll be there. But I've been watching the Aus Open this week and they've said that despite a daily capacity of 30,000, they haven't had anywhere near those numbers in. Presumably people don't feel safe enough going, because I would imagine those tickets would sell out easily in normal times (or maybe there just aren't enough locals interested and fans from further away can't travel?). So it made me think, if events like Wimbledon go ahead this summer, will there be an appetite for it?

OP posts:
BogRollBOGOF · 13/02/2021 21:39

@cardibach

Why so many people saying only if no mask? Seems mad - such a small thing to allow something you love. Unless these things are ‘nice to have’ not ‘key to enjoying life’. Gigs and theatre are the latter for me and I’d happily go wearing a mask. I’ll be in there like swimwear as soon as it’s allowed.
Because I don't enjoy hyperventilating and scratching my face until it bleeds. It dampens the fun a tad.

So no masks/ visors. It's unpleasant enough getting through essential chores.

That probably limits me to outdoor stuff.

In reality, I don't go to many ticketed events, but as a point of principle, I'd feel safe at a socially distanced event such as Wimbledon.

I ran two races in the autumn, and they felt perfectly safe.

halcyondays · 13/02/2021 21:44

I very much doubt any large events will be allowed in the UK this summer. Australia can do it because, thanks to very strict lockdowns, they’ve had something like 25,000 cases since the start. We’ve had more than that in a day.

BonnieDundee · 13/02/2021 21:45

Yes but not wearing a mask. It wouldnt be the same

MixedUpFiles · 13/02/2021 21:56

Biscuitsneeded

It’s really not selfish to say I won’t personally enjoy attending an event where I have to wear a mask so I won’t attend that event. I’m not asking the event not be held. I’m not asking that the rules be changed for me or that I be allowed an exemption to mask rules so I can attend without one. I’ll just choose to do something at home for recreation that I will actually enjoy because It won’t trigger a panic attack.

BonnieDundee · 13/02/2021 22:16

I AM cross though - cross that a load of whinging, over-entitled woman-children would jeopardise the return of the industry I love, and which is the life-blood some of my favourite people, over the wearing a piece of fabric on their face! Nobody likes it - I certainly would prefer not to - but it's such a ridiculous thing to make a fuss about when livelihoods are at stake. I just wish people would be less selfish.

So you want me to pay a lot of money to attend a concert which I will enjoy much less because of mask wearing because YOU want that sort of events to return? And I'm the selfish one? Confused

PuzzledObserver · 13/02/2021 22:19

We have tickets for a folk festival in July transferred from last year, and would book for theatre/concerts when they are on. Also my nephew’s wedding in August, postponed from last year.

The reason I would is because both DH and I will be vaccinated.

If there are masks, sanitiser, distancing - I will comply.

User7458 · 13/02/2021 22:27

I have several gigs booked but I will only want to go if it is back to normal, definitely no masks.

MoirasRoses · 13/02/2021 22:55

100%, I’m not overly hopeful but we have tickets to TotFest for my kids in July, the theatre in October .. 🙏🏼

Comefromaway · 13/02/2021 23:02

Yes.

I went to the theatre twice last October. We wore masks, Ds who is autistic struggled a little but his love of watching live theatre overcame his sensory issues (though we had to make sure it was the ”right” mask.

I felt far safer in the theatre than most other places. I would go tomorrow if it was allowed.

nex18 · 13/02/2021 23:56

If it’s open and I can afford it I am going! I can’t wait to get out to real life again.

SaltyTootsieToes · 14/02/2021 00:11

We had a number of concerts and shows booked. Keep getting postponed.

If they go ahead thus summer, no, we won’t go. No way would I be going someplace with thousands (let alone a few hundred) in such close proximity.

Rachie1973 · 14/02/2021 01:33

Yes yes and yes. I can’t wait to go out again.

I’ve had my vaccination, looking forward to everyone else getting theirs.

Masks be damned, I’m so fed up of them. I wear them all day for work, and all the other mandated places. I’ll be having a celebratory burning of them all in my house after I can drop them.

Rachie1973 · 14/02/2021 01:34

@nex18

If it’s open and I can afford it I am going! I can’t wait to get out to real life again.
I want to go drinking and dancing again, in a crowded venue with loads of other people lol
LunaHeather · 14/02/2021 01:41

@Biscuitsneeded

I AM cross though - cross that a load of whinging, over-entitled woman-children would jeopardise the return of the industry I love, and which is the life-blood some of my favourite people, over the wearing a piece of fabric on their face! Nobody likes it - I certainly would prefer not to - but it's such a ridiculous thing to make a fuss about when livelihoods are at stake. I just wish people would be less selfish.
I find this a bizarre attitude

If I had to see a performance standing, I would be uncomfortable due to a back injury, so it's a no.

If I had to see a performance with a mask on, I would be uncomfortable so it's a no.

I don't go to noisy bars because I feel uncomfortable, like sensory overload. Is that irresponsible too? Should I have been down the pub every night before?

Bizarre.

fairydustandpixies · 14/02/2021 01:44

Nope. No way.

londonscalling · 14/02/2021 01:45

I'm in no rush to start going to large events.

Only at the beginning of January, Boris said school was safe. Kids returned for one day and then he closed them all.

We were told masks didn't make a difference and now we must all wear them.

It's taken a year for the Govt to get their act together regarding letting people in the country.

We were told we should all eat out to help out and then told we had to stay home.

No way will I believe what Boris says or recommends. I'll keep an eye on what happens once lockdown stops and then make my own decision!

echt · 14/02/2021 02:28

As a perspective on what could happen and context is all.

I'm in Victoria, until recently nil community Covid infections. The biggest gallery, the NGV re-opened and had timed entry. QR code scans or sign-in details on entry. Masks compulsory. It felt fine, a big airy space.

On the other hand....

I saw cheap opera seats and duly bought one. It was in a big, 20s theatre and sold out. Same QR scan or sign-in. Plenty of social distancing at the bar and foyers. However, I was astonished to see no social distancing at all in the auditorium, every seat occupied, though the intermission was eliminated to reduce mingling. Wearing a mask in such a crowded place was very uncomfortable indeed. The Victorian government is very cautious indeed so presumably felt the risk was low.

No infections have been reported, and believe me, they would have been. Still.... especially when you consider the demographic of the opera-going punters.

Would I do it again? Only in a modern theatre, and I'd pay for more expensive seats, not parked under the Circle. Where I couldn't see the bloody surtitles. I can keep up with Italian, just, but no German at all.

echt · 14/02/2021 02:29

Should have said: First World problem. :o

TiredUselessHopeless · 14/02/2021 02:32

Of course. As long as it’s safe for everyone else and the vaccinations are doing their job for those who need it the most then this would be amazing. Never once have I ever worried about catching Covid myself and dying, because I know the statistics! I just look forward to getting back to normality.

However, concerts are highly unlikely to happen again this year.

stayathomer · 14/02/2021 02:55

In Ireland and have just seen them announce the Dublin horse show for August. It's usually thronged with people and I have to admit I hadn't realised I had written off this whole year but I have. It's generally a seated and walk about event so I don't know how they'd police it

fluffi · 14/02/2021 08:25

Outdoors maybe if I’ve received both vaccinations and there are social distancing measures in place (eg not standing/sitting close to others) and infection rates are low and not increasing.

Indoors no but then I’ve not been to a supermarket, office, gym etc since March. The idea of being in any indoor space even with social distancing with lots of people for a prolonged period of time makes me nervous, especially given some of the videos about how droplets and aerosols circulate in an enclosed space. I’d wear a mask but mask compliance is not 100% (I know there are good reasons why ppl don’t wear them). It just wouldn’t be relaxing or fun.

Also I think when I do eventually go back to theatres and indoor events I’d rather pay more and go less often and not have to sit so close to other people ever again.

Treaclepie19 · 14/02/2021 08:26

I have tickets for a gig in September and will go if I can.
A year of no live music has been really rubbish. Nothing in the scheme of it but it's an important part of my life.

cathyandclare · 14/02/2021 08:52

Yes I'd go. We went to the theatre in October and it was fantastic. I can't wait to go again. Masks don't bother me though ( medic, so used to them).

whatswithtodaytoday · 14/02/2021 09:02

Once I'm vaccinated (twice!), and providing there isn't a variant that is allowing people to become seriously ill (I don't mind feeling unwell, but I don't want to end up in hospital or dead)... then yes, I'll go back to live events. I'm happy to wear a mask, they don't really bother me.

This summer, when I'm expecting to likely only have had one dose of vaccination and there to be at least the SA variant causing problems - no. I'll go to outdoor events in places you can distance, but nothing else large-scale.

I do plan to go to a flower show this summer, that'll be lovely if it goes ahead.

Wilkolampshade · 14/02/2021 09:04

Yes absolutely.