Norfolk theatres could re-open due to rapid testing
But it's not good news for everyone
Theatres in Norfolk are scrambling to find ways to open safely, ahead of Boris Johnson's roadmap out of lockdown next Monday.
It's believed the Prime Minister could allow theatres and nightclubs to re-open, due to the availability of rapid testing.
But this may not work for smaller venues - such as Sheringham Little Theatre.
Debbie Thompson, who is the theatre director at Sheringham and at St James' Theatre in Great Yarmouth, says she's worried the size of the site won't allow for people waiting for their test results.
She said:
"We're very excited because we hate being closed - we can't wait to get back for our audiences!
"Both theatres are quite different, and Sherringham Little Theatre is very little! So, when we have to work with social distancing restrictions, we can only have 40 people in, so it would really be too expensive for us to open.
"And with the rapid flow testing, the corridors at the theatre are very narrow and small, so there is no where for people to wait until they get their results.
"But at St James', it's a bigger theatre and it has flexible seating, so we can fit 80 people in with social distancing, which is a good number. The theatre also has a large cafe area, so people will have somewhere to wait while they are tested."
Despite the challenges ahead for Sheringham, Debbie says she's keen for outdoor performances to go ahead in late spring and summer if that becomes possible.