Statement on London entering Tier 3 from Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre

Please find below a statement from Julian Bird, Chief Executive of Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre, following the Government announcement that London will enter Tier 3 of Covid restrictions from Wednesday 16 December:

‘Today’s Government announcement placing London in Tier 3 from Wednesday is devastating news for the city’s world-leading theatre industry. The past few days have seen venues beginning to reopen with high levels of Covid security, welcoming back enthusiastic, socially distanced audiences. Theatres across London will now be forced to postpone or cancel planned performances, causing catastrophic financial difficulties for venues, producers and thousands of industry workers – especially the freelancers who make up 70% of the theatre workforce.  We urge Government to recognise the huge strain this has placed on the sector and look at rapid compensation to protect theatres and their staff over Christmas in all areas of the country under Tier 3 restrictions.’