Live theatre is one of the industries most impacted by COVID-19. Here in the UK, many remain closed, and the period of closure has been longer than anticipated. MOTHandRUST loves the performing arts and we can’t wait for the theatres to be able to fully reopen, though of course this may not be for some time.
In the meantime, there are so many ways you can show your support, in addition to donations, that are always appreciated.
1. View productions online
- There are many professionally-recorded live theatre productions available to watch online—typically for just a small fee. Can't find anything to watch on Netflix? This is often better!
- We've been working with one of our favourite London theatres for over six years now, the Unicorn Theatre—it's new free digital offering is a testament to how creative, flexible and resourceful it is. I loved Anansi the Spider:
2. Reach out to your local theatre
- Remember that most smaller community theatres lack the resources to offer professionally-recorded productions or Zoom performances and other online experiences.
- Reach out to see what kind of programming your local theatre can offer, and find out how you can help. Many are finding creative solutions to stay in business and need support.
3. Buy from the theatre shop
- For example, buy a play transcript or theatre soundtrack. This is a great way to both support artists’ work, and it is often overlooked. Listening to an original cast recording of a musical soundtrack, or reading a play, can really enrich the performance when you do see it live.
- Another one of our long-term clients, the Actors' Benevolent Fund, sells its famous Christmas cards, which helps the Fund continue its vital work in supporting actors, actresses and stage managers experiencing hardship due to illness, injury or old age, as as well COVID-19:
4. Buy tickets to a live performance
- Socially-distanced indoor performances are allowed to take place as per UK government COVID-19 regulations, such as audience members seated together in bubbles. If you are able, coming back to the see a show is a great way to support our theatres.
- When it reopens in January, Wilton's Music Hall will only have 109, rather than 250 seats. In the many years we have been working with them, we have not known it to have such dramatically reduced capacity. As Wilton's says, this will "make the experience even more magical than usual."
- Current closure dates for SOLT member theatres may be found here:
- Is your theatre not selling tickets yet? You can buy Theatre Tokens to see a show once it reopens:
