On Tuesday 21 July, tape reading “missing live theatre” was draped across the entrance of Norwich Theatre Royal. The appearance of the tape highlights the devastating effect of the coronavirus pandemic upon the performing arts, particularly live theatre performances. Theatres across the UK are currently shut as they are unable to run performances over safety…
Arts, Venue
The Phantom of the Opera: past the point of no return?
With face-coverings becoming compulsory in indoor public spaces from Friday 24th July, the theatre world has turned their attention to an entirely different kind of mask. On Wednesday, producer Cameron Macintosh revealed The Phantom of the Opera, the West End’s second longest-running musical, will shut for good following coronavirus-linked theatre closures. I was preparing to…
Arts, Venue
The theatre industry and the challenges it faces: an interview with Daniel Johnson
“It’s not just a way of making money. It’s an institution.” Peterborough is not known for a rich relationship with the arts. Despite this, Daniel Johnson, a rising star in theatre, hopes to launch an ambitious project to bring the arts to his home city. “Places like Bristol, Manchester and London have strong a strong…
Arts, Venue
Online theatre
Turning twenty in lockdown was not my plan, but if there’s one thing that this pandemic has made me more grateful for, it’s the technology available to us, helping us through, keeping us as connected as possible in our separate homes. As an example of this, to pass the evening of my birthday, we set…
Arts, Venue
Death or Resurgence? What art has been and will become in the wake of COVID-19
So, the West End is shut. Bookstores are shunted online. Art galleries encourage you to browse their collections through a virtual tour. It’s not quite the same, is it? There’s a light at the end of the tunnel without a day or month attached to it. The phrase “when this is all over” has wormed…
Arts, Venue
Review: Minotaur Theatre Company’s Feminist Festival
I had the absolute pleasure of going to see Minotaur Theatre Company’s Feminist Festival evening performances. There were three monologues and a short play housed in an intimate setting of the Drama Studio. This year they were raising money for Endometriosis UK by putting on a week of events that celebrated and explored feminism and…