Following the UK Government’s announcement of a roadmap to recovery and a £1.57 billion investment to help the arts, culture and heritage industries survive the pandemic, Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden has added that outdoor theatre may be a possibility shortly.
Speaking to LBC yesterday about the possibility of reopening theatres, he said: “I am desperate for these institutions to return as quickly as possible but it has to be done in a safe way, that’s why we’ve said already they can rehearse and they can have performances behind closed doors. I hope that shortly they will be able to have outside performances.”
When asked for further information regarding the reopening of outdoor theatres, the Culture Secretary said: “I hope by… mid-July we will be able to make that announcement in respect of outdoor performances and we are working with institutions to understand how they are doing that…The primary criteria will be outdoor and socially distanced.”
Sunday’s announcement of a £1.57 billion rescue package was welcomed by the theatre industry. You can follow the latest reactions here.