Shropshire theatres call for more information to allow them to re-emerge from coronavirus nightmare
Theatres across Shropshire today demanded more information to allow them to re-emerge from their coronavirus nightmare.
They raised the possibility of audiences returning to shows as early as May, months earlier than they had expected.
But they said a lack of detail from ministers was making it impossible to plan the kinds of shows that venues in Shropshire will be able to stage.
Setting out his roadmap, Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week said theatres will be allowed to reopen on May 17 at the earliest.
But that opening would only be allowed initially with limited capacity – which could be eased in June.
However Mr Johnson warned there are no guarantees and that those dates may yet be scrapped if virus rates are considered too high.
The theatre industry has been thrown into disarray, with venues in the county having to reschedule hundreds of shows since the start of the pandemic.
The latest announcement offers a glimmer of hope, but theatre bosses in Shropshire said they are treating it with “a dose of caution”.
David Jack, venue and programme manager at Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn, said he had been surprised just how upbeat Mr Johnson’s message had been.
He now wants to plan shows the summer, but first needs to hear more details.
He said: “Listening to the announcement, it exceeded expectations.
“A lot in the industry were resigned to the fact that autumn would be the earliest we could have a meaningful reopening.
“I’m very optimistic but we are treating it with a dose of caution.
“The idea of contact restrictions being lifted in June, whether that means lifting of social distancing, that’s what we are yet to determine.
“It’s the social distancing measures preventing our industry from reopening properly.
Capacity
“I think there’s still the potential for restrictions and social distancing to be in place beyond June 21.
“If we have to have one metre between households it will be less than 50 per cent capacity.
“If it’s worse case scenario and we have to abide by two metres social distancing that restricts what we will be able to do.
“In those circumstances we would be looking to put film screenings on. It’s the devil in the detail. We need to get that clarity before we can determine what programme we will be able to put on.”
He added: "We were planning a restricted programme of events from as early as April but that's shifted.
"Our plans will adapt. It depends on the exact restrictions. It's a little bit ambiguous."
The venue has had to reschedule hundreds of shows and the vast majority of the workforce has now been redeployed to work in the community's Covid response teams.
A government grant has been 'vital support' to ensure the theatre's survival for the future, Mr Jack said.
He added that it will be 'hugely important' that people support theatres when they do reopen.
"With people told to stay at home now, we are expecting a big surge initially and we hope that will continue," he said.
"We would like to thank all our audiences for the enormous patience they have had.
"It's been a jigsaw puzzle trying to fit in rescheduled shows but the vast majority of people have been willing to retain their tickets."
There has been no audience in Bridgnorth's Theatre On The Steps since the first lockdown came into force, although it has been able to live stream some performances online.
Artistic director Iain Reddihough said: "It used to be a lively place.
"When you run the theatre you are working towards something, and building up a level of excitement. Everyone is missing it.
"I think people are desperate to go out and enjoy live entertainment.
"Once there's a level of confidence I think audiences will start to build up again.
"I think it will be a slow process because people will be cautious. It will take some time.
"I think it will be nearer September before audience sizes return to that of 2019."
The theatre has managed to keep its staff on throughout the pandemic and has had some financial support from the Culture Recovery Fund that has helped to pay bills, but Mr Reddihough is hoping there will be further opportunities to claim relief.
He also says there is a lack of detail in the government's roadmap which is making it difficult for theatres to plan the kind of performances they will be able to initially put on.
“It’s very hard to plan what we are doing," Mr Reddihough said.
“The Government has not made it clear yet what the conditions might be for theatres, which still leaves us in a difficult position.
“It might be that we can have low key shows for a small audience from the end of May or early June.
“There might be a play which runs over a longer period if we have to limit capacity, or we could do stand-up.
"No one has published any details about what it might mean. We don't know if there will still have to be social distancing.
"We've rescheduled shows but I don't know if they will go ahead because we have no guidance.
“At least a month before, the government needs to say you can do this and that, so we can prepare for that.”
Meanwhile, Councillor Eileen Callear, Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet member for leisure, libraries and culture, says there are no firm plans yet for reopening The Place Theatre in Oakengates.
She said: “No firm decision has been made on reopening, although we welcome the roadmap from the government we understand there are a number of steps to achieve before we are in a position to reopen the venue safely.
"In the meantime the lateral flow test centre remains a priority for delivery at the venue.”
