Getting recreation and leisure up and running again.

Aren't theatres protected anyway? Most of the ones that were demolished like the Westminster which is now The Other Palace and the upcoming Nimax theatre had to include a performance space and many new builds like The Bridge, The Park Theatre were built are like that. 

I wonder if the Open Air Theatre might be tempted to do stand up comedy for a week? That has low overheads but also would be a great way to test it out. I saw Simon Amstell at the Open Air Theatre years ago and being outdoors works really well.

In theory if you go via the river entrance, u can open it up without going indoors...

They were, but one of the changes the Govt intends to make is to allow change of use to be much faster and easier, so there was some speculation that applications to convert theatre buildings into other uses would become much more likely. The new performance spaces were built because of planning gain requirements and changes to planning laws could have removed those from developments, allowing unscrupulous developers to remove performance spaces from plans or repurposing them. So this announcement today appears to confirm that theatres will be exempt from the relaxation of planning laws.

Something like River Stage at the National could be set up for August although I wonder if they could charge say a fiver per entry.

^I would guess that if Stage 4 happens in September, they might be able to do a short season of sorts.

They seem to have thought a lot more about music, orchestras and choirs, than actors.

They are correct about aerosolisation from singing but completely ignore the research that shows loud talking (e.g, acting) as being the same. Not only that but, as it tends to be face to face, it can be more dangerous than singers singing in one direction. There is a later comment that performances face to face ‘should be avoided’, almost as though it is left in there as a reference to something removed elsewhere. Is this a rewrite of something more comprehensive? If you shouldn't be performing face to face then that is a major problem for actors. 90% of theatre needs face to face interaction, surely?

They still deny the need for masks, as well, in a business where aerosols are produced as a matter of course, I suppose the WHO has only now reluctantly admitted that particular danger but it pays to be ahead of the game rather than grudgingly slow acceptance.

Maybe someone lobbied to take these things out but it’s weird that acting is almost invisible when compared to other modes of performance.

I know you are trying to be funny but pose a serious question considering, if theatres, when they open obviously will have to take certain measures and this ends up as one. I don't know about everyone else but I certainly can't go anywhere without knowing a bathroom is availible esp when I am on my period bladder problems are even worse. I worry enough about going back to work because my job doesn't have a back of house or bathroom have to use public loos.

I’m surprised (and to be honest, quite doubtful) that any theatre has been told what they are getting from the £1.57bn announced Monday.

Goverment trying to open everything with all the rules, no one can actually do anything. I remember ages ago when it was said about swimming pools opening a suggestion no one would be able to use the changing rooms.

I hadn't read the story about rules on opening up outside theatre. Then I read this

"Singing and playing wind and brass instruments, especially in groups, have been designated as 'higher risk' activities and are restricted to professionals only, according to the new rules laid out today"

Do people go to shows normally with a flute or trumpet and play along?

It sounds like ATG wanted to buy the theatre itself with The Old Vic Company as its tenant similar to how the Donmar Warehouse used to operate before Grandage bought the lease of the building from ATG but the FOH of the Donmar is still managed by ATG.

November seems optimistic for no social distancing in theatres and you'd need a fair amount of time to get shows back on their feet or new shows to get up and running.