Belgrade boss tells of ‘huge concern’ over Covid uncertainty
A BELGRADE Theatre boss has spoken of the “huge concern” facing the industry as uncertainty over the return of live performances continues.
Cinemas, pubs and restaurants are among those which can reopen from July 4, but theatres are in the dark over when live performances can return.
It has left Bectu - the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union - to warn the industry “is desperate for help” with jobs at risk, calling on the government to outline a “comprehensive rescue and recovery package”.
Belgrade Executive Director Joanna Reid said they have been kept afloat by the government’s furlough scheme with some 90 per cent furloughed at some point.
And while there are strands of positivity with the theatre’s cafe set to reopen in the foyer from July 4, live shows seem some way off.
She said: “For us to be closed is catastrophic.
“In the short term we have been upheld by the furlough scheme.
“We are a business and 74 per cent of our income comes from entry.
“Twenty-six per cent of our turnover is grant funded.
“You do not have to have an economics degree to see the figures do not match.
“The biggest problem we have is when do we open again? We understand the government is doing its best but on the other hand we need to make something happen.”
Slashing the two metre social distancing in half is “great news to give the public confidence things will get back to normal”, she said.
And while that may enable some community groups to meet in small groups socially distanced, play rehearsals will still prove difficult and longerterm the one-metre rule will also provide difficulties for live shows.
She said: “We have done the maths and two metres can only allow 250 people - one metre doesn’t double that.
“It is extraordinarily difficult and of huge concern.”
First to reopen is the theatre’s cafe. Open for takeaway since June 1, it will now open to the foyer from July 4.
Redevelopment works on the cafe and first floor are also back underway and set for November completion.
While the date for live shows is still uncertain, the theatre is considering streaming old shows to watch from September.
“It is encouraging that cinemas are able to open as we could stream one of our plays in the auditorium with people sitting in a socially distanced way but that may not be until September,” she said.
“In terms of the Autumn we are making decisions as late as we can on when we can have performances.
“In the worst case scenario we would be hoping to celebrate Christmas in some way.
“We take our position as being a much-loved community venue so we will do all we can to get people in as well as adhering to government guidelines to give people the joy of live performances.”
Coventry North West MP Taiwo Owatemi raised the issue of funding for the arts in the House of Commons.
In a debate on the Covid-19 impact on support for UK industries she said: “The arts are also under threat. The brilliantbelgradetheatrein
Coventry is losing income. Small businesses such as Exhibit 3Sixty have also been in touch with my office.
“Exhibit 3Sixty is an awardwinning and successful exhibition stand design and build company based in Coventry with six permanent employees and 12 self-employed tradesmen and women.
“My office has been supporting Alan Craner, the managing director, who has applied for the retail, hospitality and leisure grant fund, but has been refused.
“Despite the Chancellor’s statement on 17 March, when he appeared to say that the exhibition sector was eligible for the same help that is available to businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality sector, it seems that there is no special support for companies like Mr Craner’s.
“Will the Minister meet me-- virtually, of course – so that I can present my cases and he can provide clarity on the support available?”