Dawn’s silent appeal to open Covid- hit theatres
DAWN French and Beverley Knight led a two- minute silent protest to reopen Covidhit theatres without social distancing.
Dawn, 62, and Beverley, 47, were joined outside the shuttered Lyric Theatre in London’s West End yesterday by director Caroline Jay Ranger, co- owner Nica Burns, musical star Melanie Marshall and actress Anna- Jane Casey.
They stood in masks to appeal for venues to be allowed to reopen without social distancing.
Vicar Of Dibley star Dawn said: “Already we have seen several theatres around the country close, which is a huge tragedy.
“Today’s stand is on behalf of everyone in the industry who has had their livelihood affected.
“We need a date from the Government to get theatres back open – safely, of course, but as soon as possible so the terrible erosion of UK theatre does not continue.”
Singer Beverley said: “With the current social distancing rules in place, venues cannot reopen.
“That means hundreds of thousands losing their jobs in specialist areas, adding to the number of people who will lose their jobs once furlough ends. People need hope. Please, give them some.” Nimax Theatres is to reopen its six West End venues, including the Lyric, from October for a season of socially- distanced shows. But catering for fewer audience members under restrictions will mean they run at a loss. Nica, who is backing the Daily Express’s Raise The Curtain campaign, said: “We look forward to the day when every theatre in the UK is ablaze with lights.”
Melanie played Mrs Obooko in Only Fools And Horses The Musical before the Theatre Royal Haymarket closed in March. She said: “People are crying out for live entertainment... I am in dire need of applause, smiling faces and laughter.” The Lyric, which reopens with Six, a modern retelling of the lives of Henry VIII’s six wives, will be the first musical to resume in a West End theatre. It will move temporarily from the Arts Theatre to begin an 11- week run from November 14.
DAWN French is one of our greatest comedians and Beverley Knight has a magical voice but they stood silently yesterday in London’s West End to draw attention to the dire threat facing theatres. They are pressing for a date when theatres can open again without the present social distancing rules.
There are fears of mass job losses when the Government’s furlough scheme ends.
Our performing arts enrich our culture but also our economy, drawing millions of tourists and honing talents of professionals at the heart of our creative industries.
This is a time of peril for the arts. We are in danger of losing treasures that will not be replaced. We must not let the curtain fall on our great stages.