A year ago, on 16 March 2020, theatres across the country closed their doors due to the pandemic. Survey results collected by the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre from across the theatre sector paint a picture of an industry that has struggled to survive the past 12 months and faced huge financial strain – but remains resilient and adaptable.
Let’s avoid start-stop misery on the road to theatres’ recovery
On Monday Boris Johnson announced his (apparently irreversible) plans to take us out of lockdown forever. He even provided a detailed timetable of dates when each stage should be implemented.
NEWS: Government tier system announcement receives a mixed reaction
There has been a mixed response from theatres up and down the country to the Government’s announcement detailing which areas of England will fall into which Tier when the second lockdown comes to an end on 2 December 2020.
NEWS: New Coronavirus restrictions will limit capacity in Tier 1 & 2 theatres & close those in Tier 3
When England moves back into a Tier system at 12.01am on 2 December 2020, indoor theatre performances will be allowed in Tiers 1 and 2 with an audience of 1,000 socially distanced people or 50% occupancy, whichever is smaller. However, in Tier 3 such events will not be allowed.
NEWS: Eleanor Lloyd is appointed President of the Society of London Theatre
It has been announced at that Eleanor Lloyd will be the new President of the Society of London Theatre (SOLT). The appointment follows the conclusion of Kenny Wax’s three-year tenure.
NEWS: Don Black & Ian McKellen will be honoured as part of the Olivier Awards 2020
The announcement of this year’s Olivier Awards winners will be broadcast on ITV on 25 October 2020 at 10.20pm. Lyricist Don Black receives The Olivier Special Award for contribution to theatre and Ian McKellen will be honoured in his 80th year for his Ian McKellen On Stage tour.
NEWS: See It Safely toolkit is launched to support theatres & bolster audience confidence
The Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre have launched a new scheme called See It Safely, to support venues as they navigate the challenges of reopening, and to give audiences the confidence that venues are consistent in their approach and implementation of the latest guidelines.
NEWS: Anti-racism conference announced for UK theatre & dance sector
‘Speak – Listen – Reset – Heal’, an online anti-racism conference for the UK’s theatre and dance sectors is taking place in November 2020, presented by Inc Arts UK in partnership with Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre.
NEWS: The Olivier Awards 2020 winners will be announced in an October TV special filmed at the London Palladium
The winners of this year’s Oliver Awards 2020 with Mastercard will be announced on 25 October 2020 in a special programme hosted by Jason Manford and broadcast on ITV and Magic Radio.
NEWS: Arts Council awards £2 million to the Theatre Artists Fund & Help Musicians
The Arts Council has announced that £2 million has been awarded to the Theatre Artists Fund and Help Musicians’ Financial Hardship Funding programme.
‘In a year’s time, we would hope every theatre in the country is open & thriving’: SOLT chief executive Julian Bird on the way forward
‘The major question is that the majority of theatres cannot open with social distancing in place – it’s impossible, for economics, for the business case let alone the experience, it just doesn’t work.’
NEWS: Industry leaders launch coordinated effort to lobby for government support & welcome new taskforce
The theatre industry’s fightback was raised to a new level as, after more than two months of enforced venue closures, leaders coordinated efforts to pressure the government for further support, and DCMS appointed a new commissioner for Cultural Recovery.
NEWS: Theatre industry issues statement on Government aid for self-employed
A week after the UK Government announced its package for workers on the payroll, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has announced an economic relief package for self-employed workers and freelancers.
NEWS: Olivier Awards’ Greatest Moments will be celebrated in special TV & radio programmes
ITV will broadcast a special Olivier Awards with Mastercard programme on 5 April 2020 at 10:15pm, in place of the 2020 Royal Albert Hall awards show which was cancelled due to coronavirus.
Snap happy: Mates founder Terri Paddock wins the prize for most selfies at the Olivier Awards
My Theatre Mates founder Terri Paddock challenged old friend Richard Gresham at the Olivier Awards: Who could get the most selfies with lovely theatre friends at this unrivalled Theatreland event? Safe to say, she won!
NEWS: Olivier Awards set for 8 April Royal Albert Hall, Shortlists announced 6 March
The Olivier Awards with Mastercard has shared the first details of the 2018 ceremony. The Awards, which are the UK’s most prestigious stage honours, will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 8 April 2018.
VIDEO: Olivier Awards will be broadcast primetime on ITV on 11 April
The 2017 Olivier Awards with Mastercard can be seen on ITV this year: the two-hour primetime broadcast of highlights from the event airs two days after the ceremony, on Tuesday 11 April 2017 from 8 to 10pm.
NEWS: UK Theatre Awards nominations announced, Ian McKellen recognised for Outstanding Contribution
UK Theatre has announced the nominations for the UK Theatre Awards 2016, which celebrate the breadth and depth of outstanding talent and achievement in theatre and the performing arts throughout the United Kingdom, on and off stage. Show Boat, which recently finished its West End run, receives the most nominations for a production (four), while fellow Sheffield Theatres’ musical Flowers for …
NEWS: 40th anniversary Olivier Awards takes place Sun 3 April, celebrations
The Olivier Awards with MasterCard, the UK’s most prestigious stage honours, has announced exciting plans, including new partnerships, to celebrate the awards’ 40th anniversary.
NEWS: 500,000 head to West End Live, Full line-up announced for 20-21 June
West End LIVE in association with MasterCard takes place in Trafalgar Square on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June 2015. Now in its 11th year, this free annual event – the largest event of its type in the world – is organised by Westminster City Council and Official London Theatre and offers fantastic free family entertainment from London’s top theatre productions and attractions.