This is a call-out to London-based creatives working professionally in theatre or live performance.
Or rather, to the sub-section of the above who are concerned about the ongoing situation, in light of lingering and potential new Covid restrictions, and the devastating effect these could have on the Arts sector, and on those who depend on it for their livelihoods.
It is likely that if, for instance, vaccine passports are introduced audiences for live events will shrink significantly, driving swathes of arts venues out of business.
It’s also possible that under a “Plan B” scenario all venues will be ordered to close again, perhaps for months on end. Or that the constant threat of this happening will lead to Producers being more reluctant to take risks with putting on shows. Or that the guidelines about positive tests among any of the cast or crew will lead to shows being summarily cancelled, making the business model hardly sustainable.
There may well be (if there isn’t already) a situation in which unjabbed performers are deemed unemployable, as they’re seen to be more likely to jeopardise the show by testing positive for Covid-19. Or that venues will be unwilling to work with companies whose members aren’t all fully jabbed.
We’re living in a time of confusion and uncertainty, with the Arts sector particularly hard hit, and — it has to be said — many venues being overly enthusiastic about enforcing restrictive measures, above and beyond what’s required by law.
There are too many issues to discuss here, and too many potential problems looming on the horizon.
So I thought I’d suggest a mutually-supportive hangout where Arts Professionals can openly discuss the state of the sector, share experiences, and devise strategies for carving out a niche for ourselves in a landscape which has changed beyond all recognition over the last 20 months.
It could also — crucially — be a place to connect with a view to collaborating with like-minded people. There may be only a few of us at first, but the important thing’s to not just wait for this situation to blow over. We need to be proactive in securing a healthy future for the performing arts, and in doing all we can to safeguard and develop our own careers, and those of others.
If any this resonates please reply below or DM me, and if there’s enough interest I’ll organise a meet up in actual, face-to-face, real life.
Thanks for reading, and please forward this to anyone who you think may be interested.
I'm not in London nor involved in the Arts, but I really hope you get somewhere with this and manage to wake enough people up before it's too late and we lose too much of our normal, vital cultural life.
I can't believe that most creative folk are overly concerned with maintaining a sterile, socially-distanced atmosphere at performances; previously when someone continually coughed during a performance, we just wanted them to shut the f**k up, we weren't irrationally concerned for their, or our, health.
Best of luck.
Thanks Dame Lynet. It’s shocking that the Arts sector is completely toeing the line — although hard to know the extent to which its members believe it all, or to which they’re being scared into compliance. That said, I’ve had some interest from the Arts Professionals I’ve spoken to personally — just frustrating not being able to publicise my events more widely online, and having to build up slowly through word of mouth.
The capitulation in every sector has been shocking, but I believe more and more people are waking up and questioning, and we will get there. The support for the Swansea cinema in just a couple of days is incredibly heartening.
It may not seem like it now, but being at the beginning of the revival is an interesting place to be and you will be remembered for being there.
