Fears theatres will struggle post-reopening
On Monday, ministers will consider whether to give the green light to steps in Northern Ireland considered to be moderate risk.
Last updated 23rd Jul 2021
There is frustration in the theatre world, as no post-lockdown reopening date has been given.
Approving curtains up on Monday July 26th was supposed to happen on Thursday, but the Executive has deferred such a decision until Monday.
Ministers are due to receive updated health data ahead of their deliberations on Monday, and it is understood that if the Executive agrees to those measures, it is understood they would come into effect immediately on Monday.
A theatre producer, writer and director has told Downtown Cool FM that he worries the industry will really struggle as it does begin to find its’ feet when a green light is given to reopen.
“You’re not going to buy a theatre ticket today, for tomorrow,” said Jonathan Burgess.
“They can say on Monday for example, you can reopen, but there won’t be a theatre show on Tuesday.
"One of the big theatres I work in, I was speaking to their chief executive today, and he was kind of saying, it’s going to be a three-month lag, and that’s for smaller shows.”
Jonathan said larger, touring productions, may nor reappear here for some time.
“Because of the situation in the Republic of Ireland, they’ve maybe lost the Cork Opera House, the Olympia, the Gaiety…so it’s not financially viable for them to come here now,” he said.
The theatre expert also warned that staff are abandoning the industry amid the confusion and delays.
He continued: “We’re losing people out of the industry hand over fist at the minute, particularly technicians and particularly stage managers.
“We have a dearth of good technicians and good stage managers here so to lose the ones that we have, is going to be really problematic.”
Jonathan added that he wants Stormont to step in and consider better financial packages to support the industry as it finds its feet again, given that some shows may not resume until the Autumn,
“I think somebody needs to go to them (the politicians) and say, ‘look,
this industry, this community that we have here, is going to need some kind of support through that period of time,” he concluded.
A Spokesperson said :" The Communities Minister has already established a Culture, Arts and Heritage Recovery Taskforce to consider measures to support re-opening and recovery in the short-term as they emerge from the pandemic.
"Since April 2020 emergency funding of £38m has been dispersed to the culture, languages, arts and heritage sectors.
"An additional £13m has also recently been secured to support the Arts, Culture and Heritage sectors and the Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has tasked her officials with developing funding streams that will help reach those most impacted.
"The Minister has also established a Culture, Arts & Heritage Recovery Taskforce to consider measures to support re-opening and recovery in the short-term as these important sectors emerge from the pandemic; that consideration will include suggesting how financial support might best be directed. "
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