Lockdown has been a bleak time for the arts. It feel like everything that is creative and inspiring and good in the world has been cruelly snatched away from us.
Theatre performances have closed indefinitely, and many venues are claiming that they will be unable to survive much longer without additional funding. Having worked venue-side for many years I know only too well how much it costs to keep a theatre running, even when closed to the public.
Livelihoods are at stake here; many who work in the industry are freelancers with no guaranteed income and little or no government support. It is heartbreaking to see how this pandemic is affecting many of my good friends and their ability to earn a living.
On the brighter side, it has been fabulous to see the amazing amount of theatre that has been made available to view online. My family and I have enjoyed watching National Theatre Live, Everybody's Talking About Jamie, Hamilton and numerous Lloyd-Webber musicals. It's become a real treat to sit down and watch some quality theatre from the comfort of our sofa.
The arts is having to adapt, and I am helping the arts to adapt. I have been working with Stagewise Performing Arts and London-based theatre school Raw Academy to launch a summer term of online workshops for young people. It is absolutely vital that children have the opportunity to experience and engage with the performing arts. Acting, singing and dancing are great for emotional wellbeing, inspire creativity and inclusivity, and above all, are fun! Every child can benefit from the performing arts.
It is absolutely vital that we all work together to keep the arts alive, not just for ourselves, but for the next generation.
Stagewise Perfomring Arts in their 2019 production of Seussical
Comments