York theatre company "devastated" after having to cancel performance
They were due to perform Jesus Christ Superstar next weekend in Rowntree Park.
Last updated 3rd Jun 2021
A York theatre company says it's "devastated" and "absolutely heartbroken" to have to cancel a performance in Rowntree Park, because Covid-safety measures would cost too much.
The Bev Jones Music Company submitted applications in Feburary, to perform Jesus Christ Superstar on 12th and 13th June.
But they only just heard back from City of York Council, who asked producers to look at mask-wearing for singers, and informed organisers the event would require extra security and toilets, costing thousands of pounds.
The company previously performed outdoors in the same space in September 2020, and had similar Covid-safety measures in place this time around.
Local officials say they didn't ask for the show to be cancelled, and have a responsibility to share national guidance with event organisers.
"I've had the door slammed in my face, and I don't know what to do about it"
Lesley Jones, who owns the theatre company, says the delayed response to the event application had a series of recommendations and requirements.
Council officials wanted singers on stage to wear face coverings, but said in an email they doubted that would be possible.
Organisers were also told they would need professional security staff on site, to stop members of the public, who hadn't bought tickets, following the sound and gathering around.
In addition, organisers were told additional toilets would need to be hired to run the event next week, but council officials were hopeful they'd be able to rebook the performance for a later date.
Lesley said that wouldn't be possible, as the park is fully booked: "We set a precedent last year by having an outdoor concert. It was so successful, guess what's happened this year? Everybody wants to use it, which is why I got in first.
"I said to them when I booked in January, 'I'd like to be the first in.' Now we can't get in.
"I'm a one woman company. I cannot dip into my bank balance to provide professional security staff and toilets, and at two weeks' notice. Put all that together on top of the masks, and I very quickly realised this was a non-event.
"Everywhere you turn, I've had the door slammed in my face, and I don't know what to do about it."
Financial impact for the company
Although the licensing organisation for the musical has offered a refund if it cannot be run, there are a number of costs the Bev Jones Music Company has already committed to.
These include props and costumes, as well as hiring music. Rehearsal space has also been hired out since February.
It follows a tough year, in which the company has not qualified for any Government financial support.
Three days before lockdown started in March 2020, a sold-out production had to be cancelled.
Lesley added: "It would be good money for the company which then sets you ahead for your next few productions.
"Lost every penny of that. That was five figures.
"I lost every single penny."
City of York responds: "We can only share the guidance..."
Sharon Stoltz, Director of Public Health, said: "The City of York Event Safety Advisory Group is there to help ensure the safety of all events held in the city however large or small.
"It involves a range of partners and has a focus on supporting the safe running of events which the city is renowned and so places public safety at the forefront.
"These are truly unprecedented times and, when an application is made to the group, we share the latest Government advice to help individuals and organisations run a safe event. This includes offering practical advice on their event plan and any contingencies they have in place, or signposting them to national guidance as we did in this instance.
"We can only share the guidance as it relates to the current situation, which is what we have done on this occasion.
"The council did not cancel or require the cancellation of the event. The event organiser submitted their proposal to the group and our public health experts, one of many partners on the board, fed in the national advice. It is not the council’s role to cancel events, we share national guidance and advice with event organisers on how to run events as safely as possible. If they feel that they cannot adhere to the national guidance sometimes they may make the decision not to go ahead with the event in question.
"As a council we will continue to do what we can to support events so they can run safely but we have a duty to share the latest guidance so such events can be held safely and in accordance with the current COVID-safe rules."