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55 posts
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Post by SuperTrooper on May 20, 2020 19:21:23 GMT
Thanks for posting this information Xanderl, I've been avoiding the updates on TV and catching up online instead.
Interesting group of people, let's hope they can come up with some good ideas/strategies soon.
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Post by richey on May 20, 2020 20:24:14 GMT
If this is what we have to look forward to I'd rather not go
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Post by basdfg on May 20, 2020 20:35:20 GMT
There was a good feature on Front Row tonight about this, interviewing various people about the perilous state of various theatres, difficulties faced by those working in the creative industries, and what the future might look like www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000j95dMy suspicion is the picture in the previous post is why many theatres are assuming they won't reopen until social distancing is significantly relaxed. Which might not be till 2021. |
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Post by Kevin on May 20, 2020 21:46:28 GMT
Theatre in 2020 is over. The NT has cancelled performances and will be closed until September. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to assume others will follow. So at best we might get something in Q4 (maybe the odd long runner) but that’s assuming there aren’t signs of a second wave going into winter. But surely re-opening the west end in Q4 and hoping the customers come is going to be tough, as is then trying to survive Q1 when the west end is ordinarily quiet anyway.
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Post by basdfg on May 20, 2020 22:03:19 GMT
Theatre in 2020 is over. The NT has cancelled performances and will be closed until September. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to assume others will follow. So at best we might get something in Q4 (maybe the odd long runner) but that’s assuming there aren’t signs of a second wave going into winter. But surely re-opening the west end in Q4 and hoping the customers come is going to be tough, as is then trying to survive Q1 when the west end is ordinarily quiet anyway. Or revivals of plays - with basic costumes and sets so limited expenses and less to lose if it goes wrong. |
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Post by Someone in a tree on May 21, 2020 5:24:21 GMT
Theatre in 2020 is over. The NT has cancelled performances and will be closed until September. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to assume others will follow. So at best we might get something in Q4 (maybe the odd long runner) but that’s assuming there aren’t signs of a second wave going into winter. But surely re-opening the west end in Q4 and hoping the customers come is going to be tough, as is then trying to survive Q1 when the west end is ordinarily quiet anyway. Or revivals of plays - with basic costumes and sets so limited expenses and less to lose if it goes wrong. That could be one of the positives of Covid. I would like it if theatre was a little less produced and it was more raw. More a show in a barn. Covid could teach us a lot in general. although I'm sure that's a topic for another thread. |
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Post by zahidf on May 21, 2020 7:29:45 GMT
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Post by Someone in a tree on May 21, 2020 9:03:09 GMT
Something I don't understand - Arts Council funded theatres should be OK shouldn't they?The subsidy rolls in, refunds are made to punters, paid security secure the building and staff are furloughed. Or am I missing something?
I guess the question is when to reopen?
As you can maybe tell I don't work in fiance or the arts!
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1,305 posts
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Post by NeilVHughes on May 21, 2020 9:15:11 GMT
Main issue like in most businesses is servicing the debt.
It is likely that most Theatre have loans secured against their assets which is primarily the Theatre buildings.
If there is no, or limited debt maintenance many more Theatres will go into hibernation with very few employed to maintain the hibernation, all others furloughed for as long as it goes on and then potentially redundancy.
It is likely debt will impact most businesses and could trigger another banking crisis which I believe is the primary driver of the furlough and interest free business loans as there is a danger Covid-19 will make the banking crisis of 2008 appear a minor hiccup. We are a nation built on business and household debt and the house of cards is close to collapse if the unemployment figures rise and more companies become bankrupt.
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Post by n1david on May 21, 2020 9:15:56 GMT
There are a few things I can think of that impact on that:
- Most landlords aren't suspending or dropping rent. That probably isn't an issue if you're a West End operator that owns the freehold of your building, it does matter if you're a fringe operator renting a space commercially.
- No income from drinks, snacks, programmes - this can amount to quite a lot
- Furlough is due to end at the end of October and employees can't work when furloughed, so they can't start rehearsing a new show, so the theatre can't open November 1. Also, the Chancellor has said that employers will have to "contribute to the cost of the scheme" from August 1, so that will increase costs to the business
- It's not clear to me how theatres engage actors and other creative staff, but I know a lot of self-employed people who run their own limited company and pay themselves through dividends - these people are getting no help at all from the various Government schemes.
I'm sure others can come along with reasons I haven't thought of (or correct some of my assumptions)
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Post by basdfg on May 21, 2020 9:19:05 GMT
Something I don't understand - Arts Council funded theatres should be OK shouldn't they?The subsidy rolls in, refunds are made to punters, paid security secure the building and staff are furloughed. Or am I missing something? I guess the question is when to reopen? As you can maybe tell I don't work in fiance or the arts! Subsidy's are not immune if some cuts need to be made. |
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Post by basdfg on May 21, 2020 9:23:47 GMT
There are a few things I can think of that impact on that: - Most landlords aren't suspending or dropping rent. That probably isn't an issue if you're a West End operator that owns the freehold of your building, it does matter if you're a fringe operator renting a space commercially. - No income from drinks, snacks, programmes - this can amount to quite a lot - Furlough is due to end at the end of October and employees can't work when furloughed, so they can't start rehearsing a new show, so the theatre can't open November 1. Also, the Chancellor has said that employers will have to "contribute to the cost of the scheme" from August 1, so that will increase costs to the business - It's not clear to me how theatres engage actors and other creative staff, but I know a lot of self-employed people who run their own limited company and pay themselves through dividends - these people are getting no help at all from the various Government schemes. I'm sure others can come along with reasons I haven't thought of (or correct some of my assumptions) I think the change in August might allow workers to work while still being partly funded by the retention scheme. |
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Post by daisy24601 on May 21, 2020 9:37:11 GMT
If this is what we have to look forward to I'd rather not go I was just looking at tickets for a show in Amsterdam, the theatre holds nearly 1000 but they're selling less than 100 tickets... |
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