Speculation About Cancellations.

You know this is a “speculation” thread, right? Please be sensitive to other people in the industry who are desperate to know if they’ll still have jobs to return to. Speaking as if it’s a forgone conclusion they haven’t is a little cruel.

I’ll try

Sadly, yes. Even when out of lockdown there could be social distancing rules in place for some time, and limits on large gatherings. As long as this virus is about, I can't see a lot of people wanting to be crammed into a tight theatre.

Yep. I've written off seeing anything until next year, sadly. Even if theatres do reopen I'd be sceptical of going, unless I really, really wanted to see it (the first gig will be a comedy show, I'll need to laugh by then!)

I think any re-openings won't be until autumn at the earliest and even then it will be limited to the bigger theatres, who might have had a buffer/generous donors.

At the risk of sounding really morbid I think 2020 might be a write-off for the theatre industry and a lot of theatres, particularly fringe in big cities, will not come back. I also think we need to look at what audiences attitudes will be after weeks or months in lockdown. I love theatre but this whole incident has made me question whether I need to be in crowded spaces as often as I am.

On the other hand, there will still be productions I want to see but this is such an unprecedented event who knows if it will ever return to normal.

See, I'm the opposite Snciole - I am really missing being part of an audience and will be back as soon as they open. Actually, I am missing crowds and people and noise and buzz in general - it's brought home to me why I choose to live in a busy city. I'm personally less worried about catching anything though from a societal point of view I obviously agree with actions to prevent transmission and protect the more vulnerable, and I'm not complacent about the risks. I suspect a lot of people will be like me and will be gagging to get into pubs, restaurants, theatres, etc as soon as they open again.

I'd be surprised if the NT just announced closure to 30 June randomly - it's presumably based on the advice they are getting from Govt. But that could obviously change since the whole situation is very unpredictable. I have also had my pessimistic moments about any semblance of normality returning until spring next year. But equally the science is moving fast, so better treatments are likely to be around soon even if a vaccine is 12 months away. Basically - who knows??

The theatres I’m currently working with are making their plans on the assumption they’ll de-open around June, but with the warning that nothing is certain or predictable. A production of mine was supposed to open in May and is now scheduled to start rehearsals in September and everything (casting, contracts, accommodation) is being sorted out with the assumption that by September everything will be back to normal.

Who knows what will happen or whether they are being crazily optimistic.

I get that but I think there will be a lot of scepticism about Government advice about when we can go back (When, how long for, what volume etc) as I felt they really effed up between 13-16 March. It was messy and confused when the advice should have been based on countries that were having major epidemics, not treating it like chicken pox. Will people ever feel truly safe or will Coronavirus become like a cold, an inconvenience but not life threatening.

I will be honest I am missing my friends and eating out far more than theatre and personally I was exhausting myself covering and seeing as much I was (for blog and for my own pleasure) perhaps because I saw so much in short spaces of time I am not finding myself missing it and enjoying lockdown. Theatre streams are great but I am not sure they are for me and what I enjoy about theatre.

I will be back but will I need to see as much as I was before? Probably not. As I said the big names and theatres will be fine but I think this will change the theatre landscape nationally, particularly pub theatres that will have the double whammy of losing pub and theatre revenue. Will people want to see more in smaller spaces or support larger productions? 

I think a June reopening is far too optimistic and probably about cash flow rather than improvement in the situation for most spaces. I am increasingly seeing events cancelled into July and August now. 

With Edinburgh Fringe (August) and now Wimbledon being cancelled, I'd agree that June is likely to be very optimistic for a reopening.

Not all, of course, but many producing houses wind down over the summer anyway, so it's perhaps understandable that they are planning on reopening in the autumn, even though I really hope they could reopen earlier if they wanted.

I think receiving houses will want to reopen long before then, as soon as they are allowed...providing they have a product to show and an audience that wants to see it!

I'm waiting for the next Broadway announcement - at the moment Broadway is only closed until April 12, so due to reopen a week on Monday. Given that NYC is really in the midst of it now, I can't believe things are going to open then, but I just wish they'd get on with the announcement of the next closure period - I had a trip planned at the end of this month and it would be quite useful if my tickets were refunded (which they will do automatically when cancelled).

The Stay at home order there extends to April 15th so surely they should at least cancel those performances now.