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COVID-19 Update

COVID-19 Update

24 Jul 2020, Posted by admin in Latest3

As we await further guidance concerning the reopening of UK theatres, here’s a statement from Artistic Director Adrian McDougall about the autumn 2020 season and beyond:

“The challenges facing the live entertainment sector have never been greater. The closure of theatres and subsequent lack of income is devastating for so many, while the reopening of theatres in a way that’s safe, as well as commercially viable, remains extremely difficult. But it’s the uncertainty of the situation that has the biggest impact. And it’s because of that uncertainty that we’ve taken the step of delaying the opening of our Autumn tour of Jekyll & Hyde. We will reassess the situation periodically but as things stand, all autumn dates through to late November have either been cancelled or rescheduled to 2021. At the same time, we’re putting plans in place to record a performance of the play (without a live audience) in September to stream online.

Beyond Jekyll & Hyde, I remain positive about the future of our industry and grateful for the support we’ve received. We’ve been fortunate enough to receive support from the Arts Council, which has enabled us to engage with theatre audiences online in a more meaningful way, including streaming Jane Eyre and The Sign Of Four, and in so doing we’ve been able to support our actors and creatives financially. We have also supported teachers and students by offering our production of Teechers online for free to over 500 UK schools throughout the Summer term.

More widely, I’ve been struck by the capacity of those working in the arts to come together, to remain positive in the face of adversity and find new ways to create and inspire. I’m a believer in the transformative power of the arts, and if there’s one thing the pandemic has revealed, it’s our need and thirst for live theatre. I also believe that as an industry used to doing a lot with little and constantly forced to adapt, theatre will survive and thrive once more. It will do so partly through innovation and creative problem-solving and partly thanks to public generosity, but it will also need a far more integrated, collaborative and proactive response from the government.”

Adrian McDougall

Keep up to date with the latest on Jekyll & Hyde here.

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