The new state of the arts
Some organisations are raring to go, but others face an uncertain future
Arts organisations across New Zealand are keen to return to the stage as the country adapts to life under alert level 1.
The lockdown in March saw many theatres and venues forced to close their doors, causing countless performances to be cancelled — with many preparing for the possibility of going without performing until 2021.
Royal New Zealand Ballet executive director Lester McGrath said it had been unusual for the company to not be on the road or rehearsing.
“When you’re in the business of performing, that’s what you do; that’s what you get up for in the morning. To not be able to perform or train in the studio is a real challenge.”
After a rare six-month break, the RNZB will finally be able to return to the stage in August, joined by dozens of other arts organisations that are able to perform again.
The Auckland Theatre Company will stage shows in September, bringing back local play Black Lover, which had to cut its season short in March when gathering restrictions were put in place.
During lockdown the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra staged socially distanced performances over social media, racking up over two million views in the last two months.
Now it is planning a welcome back performance next month at the Auckland Town Hall. Chief executive Barbara Glaser said indications from loyal subscribers were that they were as keen to return to live shows as the artists were.
“I’m hoping we are going to see a really strong resurgence in a really short timeframe.”
While the APO and the RNZB are able to continue with shows for the time being, both organisations expect difficulties in staging future shows while the borders remain closed.
Glaser said APO music director Giordano Bellincampi was unable to return to the country as he spent lockdown home in Copenhagen.
Other international talent, such as singers, would be unable to join shows with the borders closed.
“Generally for professional-level arts organisations, we do exist in an international context, so it’s important for them to be able to come into the country to do their work.
“Very often those headline people are what audiences will want to come to, and it’s really important for the economy as well as for our cultural institutions.”
McGrath said the RNZB often relied on international choreographers and designers. Seeking travel exemptions similar to those granted to the crew for the Avatar sequels was not out of the question, but McGrath wanted the ballet to prove its worth to the economy first.
“The ballet is very much leading the charge to get to those regional arts and entertainment venues again,” he said.
Its August tour, Venus Rising, will visit six cities. McGrath said it would allow venues to reopen and contribute to the local hospitality industry.
The border closure does present an opportunity for local artists.
The New Zealand International Comedy Festival is eyeing a more local line-up as it seeks to stage shows affected by the cancellation of the May festival.
General manager Lauren Whitney said the lockdown was an opportunity for people to discover local comedians. “People want to be entertained again, so I think it’s a good chance to go out and celebrate local. “There’s such a depth of talent.” The festival is talking to comedians and hopes the Best Foods Comedy
Gala can be staged later in the year. Whitney said comedians didn’t need to rehearse in large numbers, but imagined many would need to edit their content after the pandemic.
How many shows can be staged depends on which theatres and venues are able to reopen. The Classic in Auckland and San Fran in Wellington have reopened, but other theatres are evaluating their options.
The Basement Theatre in Auckland said the move to alert level 1 came sooner than it expected. It was currently looking at a reopening date but intended to open in time for their annual Christmas show.
Its Queen St neighbour, Q Theatre, also hopes to reopen soon, but is in a difficult financial spot.
The theatre fundraised $150,000 during lockdown, which Andrew Smith, who chairs the board that owns the theatre, said would help it survive until it heard from Auckland Council about funding for next year.
“Once we have a handle on that, then we can talk about can we do an opening for a particular show, and what are the costs going to be and how we’re going to make it work.”