People turn to Twitter to expose the catastrophic collapse of theatre and arts during coronavirus‪‬

24 June 2020, 17:29

For many working in the performing arts sector, the past three months have been a period of desperate financial uncertainty. Now, there’s growing concern that some theatres won’t make it.

In desperate times for the arts world, writers, actors, musicians and theatre-lovers are taking to Twitter to make themselves heard.

The social platform is telling of mass redundancies, theatres closing until 2021, and the catastrophic impact of allowing venues to reopen – but banning live performances. Here are just some of the realities facing the industry.

1. Rumours of the ‘Phantom’ cast being fired overnight

   This week, an inside source on the West End’s Phantom of the Opera whispered that the entire cast, along with front-of-house staff, stage hands and the orchestra, had been let go by producer Cameron Mackintosh – so John Barrowman spoke out.

   If it’s true, It’s a disgusting way to treat the performers in the show who slog it out 8 times a week and have made the producers very wealthy over the years. Jb https://t.co/RmXM8Hxnfk

   — John Barrowman MBE (@JohnBarrowman) June 20, 2020

   Read more: When will theatres and music venues reopen in the UK? >

2. Mass redundancies coming to Theatre Royal Plymouth

   Writer James Graham warned “our world-beating cultural landscape is in collapse” as he revealed 100 staff at the Theatre Royal Plymouth would be made redundant. The venue has been in dire straits since losing 91 percent of its income during lockdown.

   The entire artistic team at the Theatre Royal Plymouth are being made redundant in 3 days. That’s one of the largest, most well attended theatres outside London. A theatre that now has no artists, and they won’t be coming back. Our world-beating cultural landscape is in collapse pic.twitter.com/SOxzz26sxd

   — James Graham (@mrJamesGraham) June 23, 2020

3. Birmingham Hippodrome to lay off half its staff

   The Birmingham Hippodrome, which houses touring West End shows and is the home stage of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, faces having to make 60 of its 130 full-time staff redundant. A travesty for our Midlands arts landscape.

   Birmingham Hippodrome entering redundancy discussions. It’s time for all the arts and our supporters to start lobbying government and raising awareness, now. https://t.co/lc0vtuns8i

   — Helen Edgar (@msbroadhedgar) June 9, 2020

4. 250 jobs at risk at the Wales Millennium Centre

   Bad news for the arts in Wales as Cardiff’s Millennium Centre announces its closure until 2021. 85 permanent staff members are reported to be at risk of redundancy.

   This is yet more bad news for the workers, for the artists, for the people of Cardiff and South Wales and for the future of the arts in general.
   Wales Millennium Centre closed until 2021 with 250 jobs set to go.
   My industry is in a perilous place. https://t.co/5bDj76XJoO

   — Socialist Opera Singer (@OperaSocialist) June 12, 2020

5. Anger over regional theatres being neglected

   There’s been plenty of focus on the West End. But ‘what about regional theatres?’, many are crying.

   Regional theatre is fighting for its life... call it regional, national, whatever... the city and town producing theatres outside London which have, since 1945, served their communities with heart, thought, participation and soul stand now in desperate peril. https://t.co/UQu5CGYQJo

   — David Greig (@DavieGreig) June 23, 2020

6. David Schneider on the financial contribution of the arts sector

   The actor reminds us that the creative industries are one of the UK’s biggest success stories.

   Creative industries contributed £117bn a year pre-lockdown.
   £13m an hour.
   Our TV, film, music and theatre is envied all over the world.
   Yet the arts and people who work in the arts have been abandoned.https://t.co/3gwzm2cVyx

   — David Schneider (@davidschneider) June 24, 2020

7. A warning of communities losing out

   Many are also warning that social distancing in theatres will not be workable.

   Theatres will be amongst the last places to reopen and even then the majority will be not be viable with 1m rule in place. Mass redundancies are already in process and we risk losing vital community hubs without support https://t.co/J0v2gNysp8

   — Theatres Trust (@TheatresTrust) June 23, 2020

8. Frustration over double standards

   Are music halls and theatres being treated differently to other social venues?

   "Theatres and concert halls will be also be able to reopen – but they cannot host live performances, because of concerns including the risk that singing transmits the virus.”
   
   ...yet you can talk and shout all you want in a pub, supermarket or restaurant.

   — Daniel Friar (@dannyboyfriar) June 23, 2020

9. And a couple of creative suggestions on how theatres’ doors can be reopened...

   Educate me. If theatres and cinemas are allowed to open, but NOT for live performance (presumably for reasons of droplet transmission from the cast) could a play not happen behind a Perspex shield for instance?

   — Adam Kay (@amateuradam) June 24, 2020

   Hear me out! Open theatre bars & auditoriums at 6pm on Saturday night, 7:30pm we play the shows soundtrack. Throughout the night the cast & FOH team can make/serve drinks. Have pics with the cast, selfie onstage, buy merch, tip cast/FOH. Move from show to show. All done safely.

   — Philip Joel (@PhilipJoel) June 24, 2020