Theatres

[VinoBianca]

I have three theatre shows booked this month. How are these still being allowed to go ahead? They're all fully booked venues, no distancing. I think I'm too anxious to go but it was a real investment for the kids and the loss of the money is really hard to take. Im torn about this because if they're going ahead surely the powers that be consider this to be a risk that's potentially fine to take? Basically I'm confused by the messaging and rubbish at making a decision

i'd say cancel but i'm sat watching the football...2 london teams, crammed in a full stadium. Not many masks to be seen. seems ridiculous but explains how the spread is causing the UK to have one of the the highest new daily cases in the world!

We've got tickets for a London musical next week. We live out in the sticks. I would like to postpone which it seems to imply we can however DH reckons we should just go for it and if we/the kids get it then it was always going to happen sooner or later. Funnily enough the actual theatre element doesn't bother me so much. It's more the getting there on the tube etc.

Definitely postpone. Sitting in a theatre right now is just asking for trouble.

I've got two shows booked for next weekend. Would really like to cancel but I can't see anyway to do that without losing all of the money. The tickets are so expensive. Really torn!

@IsItTimeForGinYet the problem is you can't really postpone theatre stuff once you have tickets and have paid. You either go or you lose your money. It's bloody hard to get refunds just because you've changed your mind. It's a total nightmare!

@marmiteloversunite this is exactly the situation I'm in!

OP when is the first show?

I think they are quite likely to close and then will offer refunds or vouchers etc. We had a show booked early on in 2020 and that was full refund but we haven't booked anything since.

Arghhhhh!!!! Then I guess DH will be even keener on going seeing that the cost was eye watering!

Will try and research transport as coming from the south west...

I took out insurance on the Cinderella tickets but need a positive pcr, an act of God or a death to get a refund!

Eh? Covid ain’t going nowhere! Why did u buy tickets when you are too afraid to go? I’d suggest selling them on if you can.

Sadly it's a real hit for the theatres and all the freelancers working in the industry to take too 😢 They aren't covered by insurance in either the situation of audience members cancelling / having to postpone due to
Covid in the cast or the government shutting them down and many suffered so greatly through all the lockdowns that they just won't be able to recover from another catastrophe.

It's a shame if you have to cancel.

It would have been so helpful if we'd followed most of Europe and many other countries around the world. Kept the mask mandate all along, HEPA filters, and vaccine passes.

If you still want to go and feel nervous about it, think about wearing an FFP2 mask. It's no miracle but it does help.

There's no sign of closures in the sense of them being directed to shut.

But several are closed because of outbreaks affecting cast and staff

www.timeout.com/london/news/covid-is-shutting-a-lot-of-london-theatre-shows-and-its-a-worry-121421

Well it’s not the theatre industry’s fault you’ve got the willies. If you’re too afraid to go you should look at selling the tickets. Sadly if this keeps up there’ll be no theatre to go back to.

I’m going on Friday, and have moulin rouge booked for January. I’ll absolutely go on Friday but I fear the January one will be cancelled 😞

Individual theatres are likely to close soon if they're not already, and then be closed at some point when the Prime Minister stops cowering, gets over the disapproval of Desmond Swayne et al, and remembers it's his duty to protect the country from threats.

@DaisyNGO first one is Friday 

@BlueShirtGirl I booked all of these way before Omicron and I felt fine going then

@Mangoandbroccoli I know, this has been on my mind too

I'll wear a mask no problem, but the kids won't (under 5s) and we have elderly grandparents coming for Christmas so it's just all a total clusterfuck with no good outcome either way!

My DD was supposed to be seeing Hamilton this evening and it was cancelled when she was 20 minutes away from the theatre. I suspect this will happen more and more as cast and crew catch Covid or have to isolate as contacts.

Fab. Good plan. Proper masks and will get on with it. Mindset positive! And if we get it then we are all low risk (& would prefer kids to get it now rather than before skiing in February although can't see that happening but hope I'm wrong!)

@WheelieBinPrincess I take your point but it is also a pretty serious public health issue rather than just the willies!

the theatres have been closing one by one all week - it is likely that you will be postponed anyway

@VinoBianca

aye, but where will it end?

[quote WheelieBinPrincess]@VinoBianca

aye, but where will it end?[/quote]
When we have a cure. Until then -all bets are off.

I was meant to be at the theatre this evening and it was cancelled 90 minutes beforehand. It's one of about 12 West End shows, Cinderella included, that was cancelled tonight.

@Thewiseoneincognito

A cure?! No. Immunity and resilience among the general population- more likely.

Until then we can’t just hide away while everything crumbles around us.

We have panto booked for Christmas Eve (booked months ago waaaay before Omicron!) I'm worried about going...pre covid people were packed in tightly into a poorly ventilated theatre, and I just cannot see how this will be addressed (and suspect they won't be partially filling it). I don't really want to go (tbh I'm not a theatre/panto fan) but my DM and DD are so excited and would be gutted not to go. So I'm hoping for a cancellation...I don't expect to be reimbursed, would rather the ticket money was kept by the theatre staff and cast.