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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2020 14:58:22 GMT
Have any of our insiders heard any whispers lately of what govt thinking is about supporting the creative sector and/or how reopening plans are going??
Feels like there is a good effort going into raising the profile in the media but absolutely no engagement by govt, but am hoping things look slightly more productive behind the scenes...
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Post by couldileaveyou on Jun 29, 2020 15:14:21 GMT
btw, Broadway will officially remain closed for the rest of the year
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Post by talkingheads on Jun 29, 2020 15:42:15 GMT
btw, Broadway will officially remain closed for the rest of the year Was fearing this, I am becoming more and more accustomed to the idea that panto season won't happen this year. |
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Post by theatreian on Jun 29, 2020 15:51:50 GMT
I don't think it is likely unless pantos are completely redone ie no singing, no kids on the stage etc. It would be a minefield given the current situation, let alone having lots of kids in the audience in a theatre that would be difficult to socially distance. Lets face it if we seem to be having problems having 30 kids in a classroom (although it seems it will be possible come September, and not a moment too soon) how could we have hundreds in a theatre.
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Post by talkingheads on Jun 29, 2020 16:14:22 GMT
I don't think it is likely unless pantos are completely redone ie no singing, no kids on the stage etc. It would be a minefield given the current situation, let alone having lots of kids in the audience in a theatre that would be difficult to socially distance. Lets face it if we seem to be having problems having 30 kids in a classroom (although it seems it will be possible come September, and not a moment too soon) how could we have hundreds in a theatre. Plus the whole nature of panto with call and response, not to mention socially distanced slapstick! It's so sad and will put so many theatres into even more financial trouble. |
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Post by theatreian on Jun 29, 2020 16:23:18 GMT
It is really sad that such a British institution such as Panto should not go ahead. Let's hope something can be salvaged for Christmas in whatever format can be made safely.
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Post by vickyg on Jun 29, 2020 16:32:09 GMT
On the up side, the Wallace Collection has confirmed it will be opening from mid-July and visitors are asked to book a free ticket for a particular time slot. There will be a one way system through 'most of the rooms' and masks will be at visitors' discretion with a sanitiser station on entering the building. I've booked for early August and can't wait to get back to something I would ordinarily do at the weekend. This is the first museum/gallery I've seen that has confirmed its plans.
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Post by clair on Jun 29, 2020 20:08:19 GMT
Panto is the one form of theatre that can be played with though - audience participation could be altered to work. For example have masks made that say POP (protect our panto) and change the 'when I say xxx shout Buttons' to 'when I say mask you clap once to make a 'pop' noise'. Songs could be recorded by the cast and that gets played while they do a dance routine/silly walk/whatever is appropriate, 'it's behind you' becomes the audience pointing to the area of the stage rather than shouting, instead of a physical kiss a sound effect and so on. It wouldn't be the same but it could work if done properly.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2020 20:36:11 GMT
I don’t think panto will happen this year sadly. If not I really hope the BBC/ITV finds a way of doing one for TV. No, it won’t be the same, but let’s take what we can. Now would also be a great time for ITV to revive the whole ‘live musical’ thing too - I bet there’s a load of performers willing to isolate together for a few weeks. Though no idea what musical that should do.
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Post by talkingheads on Jun 29, 2020 21:05:56 GMT
I don’t think panto will happen this year sadly. If not I really hope the BBC/ITV finds a way of doing one for TV. No, it won’t be the same, but let’s take what we can. Now would also be a great time for ITV to revive the whole ‘live musical’ thing too - I bet there’s a load of performers willing to isolate together for a few weeks. Though no idea what musical that should do. They've got the four pantos in the archive, written by Simon Nye and starring Paul Merton, Julian Clary and a whole host of stars, I'd love to see them again! |
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Post by basdfg on Jun 30, 2020 11:20:46 GMT
I think Disney (along with other massive companies) could struggle to recover from the virus and the geopolitical situation between the USA and China. I think in 2021/2022 through they might well try and expand their theatre productions to replace revenue streams that are at risk of being cut off.
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Post by Jon on Jun 30, 2020 15:32:03 GMT
On the up side, the Wallace Collection has confirmed it will be opening from mid-July and visitors are asked to book a free ticket for a particular time slot. There will be a one way system through 'most of the rooms' and masks will be at visitors' discretion with a sanitiser station on entering the building. I've booked for early August and can't wait to get back to something I would ordinarily do at the weekend. This is the first museum/gallery I've seen that has confirmed its plans. To build on that, The National Gallery is reopening from the 8th July with further galleries to follow in the coming weeks: www.forbes.com/sites/sarahturner/2020/06/30/londons-museums-and-galleries-reopen-with-timed-entry-and-space-to-appreciate-art/The Barbican is also partly reopening with the Art Gallery and Conservatory. |
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Post by Mr Snow on Jun 30, 2020 16:20:53 GMT
I am told that AEG don't anticipate any live shows at the O2 until at least March 2021.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2020 16:22:08 GMT
Why won't the Govt support the sector? Surely they will have to bite the bullet and do it at some point, so why wait??
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Post by david on Jun 30, 2020 18:10:10 GMT
Having had a few days of absence from Oliver Dowden regarding his plans to help the theatre industry he has posted this tonight -
In light of his so called "roadmap" that he tweeted a few days ago, I would love to know what exactly he is doing every day to help support those in the arts sector. The fact that he seems more elusive than Lord Lucan in wanting to appear in front of the cameras or on radio in providing reassurance and details for any financial support and action plans for those in the arts sector I really do wonder despite his claim that that he understands the seriousness of the situation, does he fully understand what is actually involved in getting theatres and other arts venues up and running again? Also, why isn't the Shadow SoS for DCMS and the Parliamentary Select Committee for DCMS being more vocal and applying pressure to get Dowden to be a little more proactive?
As a SoS for DCMS, I've certainly not been impressed by his lack of action during this crisis and rather than spending time tweeting stuff about the 2022 Commonwealth Games and Disinformation over the last few days, I would love to see him actually deal with the immediate issues of protecting the sector that he is actually meant to be overseeing.
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Post by talkingheads on Jun 30, 2020 18:28:07 GMT
Much like everybody in Government these days, Dowden trades on blather. He has not produced one single policy of substance so far in relation to helping the arts after three months. I've said it before and I'll say it again: if you produced so little evidence of work after three months in any other job, you would be fired. I genuinely don't know why he is still in office, it's clear by now he isn't up to the job, why not let somebody else have a go? Maybe somebody with experience of arts management?
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Post by HereForTheatre on Jun 30, 2020 18:34:35 GMT
Having had a few days of absence from Oliver Dowden regarding his plans to help the theatre industry he has posted this tonight - In light of his so called "roadmap" that he tweeted a few days ago, I would love to know what exactly he is doing every day to help support those in the arts sector. The fact that he seems more elusive than Lord Lucan in wanting to appear in front of the cameras or on radio in providing reassurance and details for any financial support and action plans for those in the arts sector I really do wonder despite his claim that that he understands the seriousness of the situation, does he fully understand what is actually involved in getting theatres and other arts venues up and running again? Also, why isn't the Shadow SoS for DCMS and the Parliamentary Select Committee for DCMS being more vocal and applying pressure to get Dowden to be a little more proactive? As a SoS for DCMS, I've certainly not been impressed by his lack of action during this crisis and rather than spending time tweeting stuff about the 2022 Commonwealth Games and Disinformation over the last few days, I would love to see him actually deal with the immediate issues of protecting t he sector that he is actually meant to be overseeing.
I agree that he should be talking about the current crisis in theatre a lot more and that financial packages should already be in place, indeed I'm not entirely sure he's particular competent in the role, but it's not the department of the Arts and Theatre, it's the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. I'm not certain everyone is grasping that. He can't be criticised for talking about and working on the other sectors that he is also responsible for. ETA: Just following up talkingheads comment above, yes we could have someone with an arts management background, but then why not someone with a Sports background? Or TV/Radio background? Or Online media background? Or Tourism background? It's a role encompassing the entirety of 3 general and wide ranging sectors, not simply The Arts. Why should someone with a history in theatre be chosen in particular? I mean it would be great for us if we did have a DCMS sec who fitted that bill but why would we and I'm sure in that case it wouldn't go down too well with the other sectors they would also be responsible for. Look i'm not saying that hes doing a good job or that he'e doing enough for theatre, he clearly isn't, but i just feel like people aren't quite grasping the vastness of the role and all the other areas the DCMS sos is responsible for and are focusing it down to only the thing we happen to care about. It might be all we care about but it's not their job to only care about that. |
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Post by vickyg on Jun 30, 2020 21:00:18 GMT
On the up side, the Wallace Collection has confirmed it will be opening from mid-July and visitors are asked to book a free ticket for a particular time slot. There will be a one way system through 'most of the rooms' and masks will be at visitors' discretion with a sanitiser station on entering the building. I've booked for early August and can't wait to get back to something I would ordinarily do at the weekend. This is the first museum/gallery I've seen that has confirmed its plans. To build on that, The National Gallery is reopening from the 8th July with further galleries to follow in the coming weeks: www.forbes.com/sites/sarahturner/2020/06/30/londons-museums-and-galleries-reopen-with-timed-entry-and-space-to-appreciate-art/The Barbican is also partly reopening with the Art Gallery and Conservatory. I’ve never been happier to be in a 20 minute online queue for tickets. Got a ticket to the Titian exhibition for after work on 10th July and I’m so excited! I think it’s clever how they’ve formed their 3 ‘art routes’ and I’m glad they’re saying face coverings should be worn. I’m sure they can’t mandate it but it’s a stronger position than the Wallace who have said you can wear one if you want to. |
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Post by theatreian on Jun 30, 2020 22:25:34 GMT
but i just feel like people aren't quite grasping the vastness of the role and all the other areas the DCMS sos is responsible for and are focusing it down to only the thing we happen to care about. It might be all we care about but it's not their job to only care about that. Yes I don't think we should be as quick to criticise when at the moment everyone in government and politics in general has so much to deal with on every front. Not just the pandemic, the economy, Brexit, , jobs, recession, …. it goes on and on. I doubt there has ever been a time like it in government. whichever side we are on politics wise we need to try and pull together to find a cohesive way out of the situations we are in. It sure ain't going to be easy for many of us. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2020 0:19:14 GMT
I am told that AEG don't anticipate any live shows at the O2 until at least March 2021. If that is true then I would say that would be fairly definitive. I've heard early next year from people I know who promote gigs so March makes sense. If the RSC has scrapped shows for this year that shows outlook isn't good. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2020 0:29:46 GMT
Broadway producers are looking at March as well, starting getting things moving after Christmas and then opening a couple of months later. All subject to wherever we are at the time, obviously.
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Post by Rory on Jul 1, 2020 5:18:34 GMT
but i just feel like people aren't quite grasping the vastness of the role and all the other areas the DCMS sos is responsible for and are focusing it down to only the thing we happen to care about. It might be all we care about but it's not their job to only care about that. Yes I don't think we should be as quick to criticise when at the moment everyone in government and politics in general has so much to deal with on every front. Not just the pandemic, the economy, Brexit, , jobs, recession, …. it goes on and on. I doubt there has ever been a time like it in government. whichever side we are on politics wise we need to try and pull together to find a cohesive way out of the situations we are in. It sure ain't going to be easy for many of us. I'm afraid I have to strongly disagree with you here. Yes, his portfolio is wide-ranging, but there is NO excuse for Dowden and Sunak's utter silence on theatre investment or lack thereof and help for freelancers, many of whom are on the brink of absolute despair and financial ruin. It is universally acknowledged that as a sector theatre is particularly heavily negatively affected by covid - on its knees in fact - and there is absolute silence apart from a 5 step roadmap which was as much use as a chocolate teapot. The issue has been heavily featured in the news, social media so there is no excuse not to step in and save it. The arts sector should in my view vociferously call on Dowden to resign, hopefully to be replaced with someone with a bit more clout who can make Sunak listen and take action. |
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Post by Jan on Jul 1, 2020 6:47:48 GMT
Yes I don't think we should be as quick to criticise when at the moment everyone in government and politics in general has so much to deal with on every front. Not just the pandemic, the economy, Brexit, , jobs, recession, …. it goes on and on. I doubt there has ever been a time like it in government. whichever side we are on politics wise we need to try and pull together to find a cohesive way out of the situations we are in. It sure ain't going to be easy for many of us. I'm afraid I have to strongly disagree with you here. Yes, his portfolio is wide-ranging, but there is NO excuse for Dowden and Sunak's utter silence on theatre investment or lack thereof and help for freelancers, many of whom are on the brink of absolute despair and financial ruin. It is universally acknowledged that as a sector theatre is particularly heavily negatively affected by covid - on its knees in fact - and there is absolute silence apart from a 5 step roadmap which was as much use as a chocolate teapot. The issue has been heavily featured in the news, social media so there is no excuse not to step in and save it. The arts sector should in my view vociferously call on Dowden to resign, hopefully to be replaced with someone with a bit more clout who can make Sunak listen and take action. The theatre establishment - specifically the subsidised sector and most of the fringe, hate this government and Prime Minister and have done for several years, they have made this abundantly clear both through their programming and public comments on a range of political issues which have not really been within their remit (I'm thinking of things like anti-Brexit tweets from theatre official twitter accounts). Given that, it is maybe less than surprising that the government may not see that particular part of the economy as having the highest priority, and plenty of voters (outside London) will agree with them. In a particularly tin-eared move they are now doubling-down on this and attacking the 5-step roadmap loudly and prominently rather than taking a more measured less strident approach of trying to work with the government to improve it. Other entertainment sectors (eg. football) have handled things far better and influenced government in a more collegiate way to open up again. You can call on Dowden to resign or be fired all you want but that will make it less likely the sector will get help, not more. The only positive move I've seen from the entire theatre industry has been ALW running a series of tests and demonstrations to show theatres can re-open based on what has happened in other countries - why is he alone in trying to be constructive ? Why aren't Norris and Doran working with him ? |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2020 8:17:32 GMT
In times of trouble the arts are seen as expendable and they always suffer. It happened during the last recession but is clearly much more visible now. This government especially just doesn’t care.
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Post by talkingheads on Jul 1, 2020 8:40:56 GMT
I just don't see the Government's reasoning for not helping the arts. They bring in so much money it would help the economy more than football when it returns.
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