While much of the UK’s entertainment and hospitality industries will be open to customers from tomorrow, theatres sadly remain closed, unable to stage live performances.
A community of designers named #scenechange have been struck by the negative visual imagery of theatre closures and the sadness that comes with seeing venues that were once bubbling with energy, now feeling stark and bleak.
Today, in collaboration with theatres across the UK, the #scenechange community will launch #MissingLiveTheatre, wrapping theatre buildings in a positive message of hope and visibility to the industry.
The #scenechange will begin with The National Theatre and working alongside theatre staff will wrap the venue with pink barrier tape reading Missing Live Theatre.
The baton will then be passed from the National Theatre to Manchester Royal Exchange, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Lyric Belfast and Sherman Theatre across the day, and throughout the West End on Saturday.
The week beginning 6 July will see further theatres nationwide joining #MissingLiveTheatre, with over 50 venues already committed including the RSC, Sadler’s Wells, Theatr Clwyd, Theatre Royal Stratford East, Sheffield Theatres, Ambassador Theatre Group, Theatre Royal Plymouth amongst many others.
#scenechange said today: “As businesses begin to reopen, the doors of theatres remain firmly shut, whilst we navigate a way back to live performance. Today as we launch #MissingLiveTheatre, we want to bring joy and colour to theatres across the UK and Ireland, whilst highlighting the ongoing impact of Covid-19, and what we as an industry and local communities are missing.”
Please join us in celebrating this joyful movement by following #scenechange and #MissingLiveTheatre and re-sharing images of your fave theatres dressed up in pink! Check out the images below and follow their takeover on Saturday 4 July on our Official London Theatre Instagram channel.
