Jon Morgan, director of Theatres Trust, has responded to the government’s announcement that Step 4 of lockdown easing is on target for 19th July, following the 4 week delay from 21st June:
In view of the current status of the pandemic, confirmation that restrictions will not be lifted earlier than the 19th July is understandable. It does however place the theatre sector in a difficult position, with no clarity yet that theatres will be able to fully reopen at that time. This makes planning incredibly challenging for the theatre industry.
What the theatre sector really needs at this moment is a commitment that events already found to be safe through the Events Research Programme, including indoor theatre, can reopen fully on 19th July.