Arts lifeline Theatres hope for clarity for industry ‘in distress’
WHILE a number of venues, including pubs and restaurants, have been allowed to reopen, theatre halls and music venues around the county must remain empty.
Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham Playhouse, The Barn Theatre in Cirencester and Giffords Circus, among others, have all had to close their doors since the beginning of lockdown in March.
Now the Government has promised the arts a £1.57 billion ‘lifeline’ grant, but what does that mean for Gloucestershire’s venues?
Although the news is welcomed as a “positive step forward”, individual venues and businesses are seeking clarity on what this means for them individually, with “real distress” being put on this sector.
The Barn Theatre in Cirencester launched a free live-streaming service after it had to close its doors several months ago.
And following the Government’s announcement, its artistic director Iwan Lewis said: “We are extremely pleased to hear the announcement from the UK Government of their plans to invest £1.57 billion to protect the UK’S world-class cultural, arts and heritage institutions during this unprecedented time of crisis.
“The news is a positive step forward in the fight to save our cultural institutions. The announcement of The Theatre Artists Fund will also provide freelancers, who are a lifeblood for not only the Barn Theatre but the entire industry, emergency support to ensure we will not lose vital members of our rich cultural sector.
“However, as a small 200-seat venue in the Cotswolds we are concerned that, like many theatres of our size in the regions who contribute hugely to the cultural landscape of our communities, our voice won’t be heard.
“We will be watching with interest as more details emerge as to how the investment fund will be distributed.
“The focus for us all now is on planning for a future of innovative theatre as well as continuing to bring together our local communities and ensuring that our regional economy thrives.”
Mark Goucher, chief executive of the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham, welcomed the news but said that the theatre “hopes to get clarity soon”.
Mark said: “This announcement is welcome news for an industry that has been put in real distress by the ongoing closures.
“We hope to get clarity soon on how we can access this support and use it to continue our vital education and community outreach work and support the over 100 staff that we employ here in Cheltenham.
“The Everyman is a key cultural, entertainment and economic contributor to Gloucestershire and we want to do everything possible to make sure we remain ready to be part of the town and county’s recovery.”
Cheltenham Playhouse also lit up the front of its Bath Road theatre in red last night to show solidarity with the Light It In Red campaign, to raise awareness of the struggling arts industry.
Theatres aren’t the only part of the arts sector who have struggled in these uncertain times as Giffords Circus welcome this “vital step for the recovery of the UK Arts and Entertainment industry”.
Producer at Giffords Circus Lil Rice said: “It’s brilliant that the arts are being given help from the UK Government; the alternative doesn’t bear thinking about.
“This is a vital step for the recovery of the UK arts and entertainment industry, and we remain hopeful the measures will include the circus industry.
“Giffords Circus is in a good position thanks to the overwhelming support of our amazing ticket holders, but there are many within our industry that are in a less fortuitous position.”
She added: “Rest assured over the next few weeks if we are still unable to open, we will be emailing all our ticket holders inviting them to exchange their tickets for our 2021 tour, before the tickets go on general sale, whilst we wait for the Government to announce guidance for a phased return of the performing arts sector.”