Event cancellations continue after alert level 4 extension
Palmerston North venues are playing a game of wait and see, while trying to reschedule dozens of shows amidst lockdown uncertainty.
Globe Theatre manager Gerry Keating said it was trying to postpone as many events as possible to give people the best chance of making it to the stage.
‘‘That’s the nature of the beast. We are in lockdown level 4.’’
He said there was little time left in the year and shows were already booked for months coming. ‘‘All we can do is be supportive. People understand. It will get better, it did last year.’’
He said the hardest part was the lack of certainty, and not knowing when or how the change in alert levels would play out.
Keating said the theatre would open at alert level 2, with social distancing measures in place.
Most events until September 10 had been postponed with new dates yet to be confirmed. These included Alliance Francaise’s french film night, a Comedy Hub workshop and show with Trent H Baumann and the Creative City Conversations’ Better Cities Film Festival. Lola and Friends’ Lucky Dip and Simple Truth Theatre’s Come First and Vagina Monologues have also been postponed.
Regent on Broadway general manager David Walsh said staff had been busy behind the scenes rescheduling and talking to production teams. ‘‘We are busy juggling around bookings, still with some uncertainty. We just don’t know when this will end. It is just a wait and see.’’
It was unclear what alert level the country would go into after this, and what restrictions would apply. He said he was in constant communication with Act Three about We Will Rock You returning to the stage when possible.
Under alert level 3 and 4 restrictions the theatre cannot open.
The remaining week of The Complete History of Palmerston North – Abridged and Penny Ashton’s at Centrepoint had been cancelled. Brewday, at the Fly Palmy Arena, is postponed to November 13.