05 March - V&A risks breaking its promise to protect theatre collections, ex-archivist claims
A former archivist at the V&A has claimed that a promise by the museum to keep its Theatre and Performance collections accessible is at risk of being broken, and has called for a wider consultation on their future.
05 March - 525,600 minutes later, US theatre still waits to reopen
How do you measure a year in the pandemic? For musical theatre fans, as of next week, it will have been 525,600 minutes since theatre across the US shut down.
04 March - Long-running West End shows start scheduling Sunday performances for post-Covid return
It seems as though a variety of West End productions are set to move further towards Sunday performances for the short-term.
From an examination of booking schedules, the likes of The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Hamilton, and more have all filled up both weekend days. For the likes of Phantom or Hamilton, this is a departure to pre-Covid schedules.
04 March - Pub theatres in the pandemic: ‘We can’t wait. We have to fight’
Pubs and theatres have been two of the hardest-hit industries during the pandemic, and pub theatres have taken a double blow. Managers and owners across the UK tell Fergus Morgan how they have coped through various lockdowns, curfews and scotch-egg regulations that have proved almost impossible to navigate
04 March - When will cinemas, theatres and art galleries reopen after lockdown?
The Prime Minister has announced that lockdown will gradually begin to lift from March 8, as some degree of normality begins to return over the spring and summer. There will be four phases to the easing of restrictions, but where do the arts fit in?
04 March - Broadway venues to reopen for socially distanced pop-up performances
Broadway’s Music Box Theatre, La MaMa, Park Avenue Armory, St Ann’s Warehouse, and the Apollo Theatre are among what are being described as “Flex Venues” that will reopen from 2 April to host performances as part of the NY PopsUp series
04 March - The challenge for fringe festivals post-Covid will be not to sacrifice creativity
To fringe or not to fringe: that is the question. Last week, the government revealed its roadmap out of lockdown with all eyes focused on June 21, the day restrictions could supposedly end and audiences can pack out theatres again (though no doubt there will be a lot of small print).
04 March - We need to reshape the industry. Here are some ideas for how to start
Amid many radical ideas put forward to reshape theatre post-Covid, artistic director Tarek Iskander argues now is a time for pragmatism. Here he puts forward steps for funders, venues, companies and freelancers to create a more inclusive sector
03 March - Budget 2021: How does it affect entertainment and arts?
Entertainment and arts bodies have broadly welcomed Wednesday’s Budget announcement, while also demanding greater support and clarity.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the Government will give £390m to help arts venues in England, including theatres, museums and galleries, reopen.
03 March - Theatre and live event bosses call for Government insurance option to reopen
The arts is to get an extra £300m of funding to support the reopening of theatres, museums and galleries, many of which have been closed for all of the last year.
The Culture Recovery Fund, which was announced last year to the value of £1.57bn, has so far supported 3,000 organisations in England and, according to Treasury figures, benefited 75,000 people.
03 March - Culture sector cautiously welcomes budget but say further support needed
The chancellor’s budget was cautiously welcomed by the culture sector but industry figures said it lacks detail in key areas and does not do enough to support those who have missed out on government support, such as freelancers.
03 March - Budget 2021: Industry responds as freelancers lose out and insurance scheme ignored
Measures outlined in the Budget have drawn mixed reactions from the industry, with an extension of the furlough scheme welcomed but warnings issued that freelancers have once again been overlooked and will face many more months of hardship.
03 March - Government unveils Community Ownership Fund to help local people take over and save theatres
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has unveiled a Community Ownership Fund – which will hypothetically allow local people to “take over” and save endangered theatres.
As part of the plans, launched today, sports clubs, theatres, music venues and post office buildings can be aided by community groups – who will be given up to £250,000 to support spaces in their area through matched funding.
03 March - Budget 2021: Extensions confirmed for worker support schemes and VAT reduction
The government has announced an extension to cuts on business rates and VAT, which can benefit theatres, as its 2021 Budget confirms that Covid-19 support schemes for salaried and self-employed workers will continue until September this year.
03 March - Government budget 2021
We’re updating this article as news comes in.
03 March - Stars back fundraising campaign for struggling theatre freelancers
Denise Gough, Michaela Coel and Maxine Peake are among performers backing a campaign to raise money for the Theatre Artists Fund as the industry approaches the year anniversary of venues going dark.
03 March - Furlough extended until end of September and self-employment grant eligibility to be broadened
Today’s budget has unveiled a raft of new plans for 2021 spending as the theatre community looks towards reopening later this year.
The furlough scheme is set to be extended until the end of September, which will be a welcome relief for venues that aren’t able to return to full capacity or operations even after theatres have been given the green light to reopen.
02 March - Brighton Festival announces return in May with live performance
Brighton Festival plans to return with a month-long celebration of arts and culture from May.
The 2020 event was cancelled for the first time since the festival was founded in 1967 due to the pandemic.
02 March - Vaccine passports could save British theatres – why won’t they embrace them?
The Government is conducting a review of testing certification. Would it speed reopening – or promote risky behaviour and discrimination?
02 March - Nica Burns states Six and Everybody's Talking About Jamie will open from 17 May
Nica Burns has spoken to Jeremy Vine on BBC Radio 2 about her plans to reopen her venues in May.
As it stands, 17 May is the date when the government’s reopening roadmap hits “Step Three”, when indoor shows can be mounted with social distancing and risk mitigation measures in place.
02 March - 'It has been difficult': classical musicians on their Covid delivery jobs
Venue closures hit freelance performers hard. Here, three musicians tell us about the work they turned to in order to survive
02 March - Dozens of arts freelancers lose out on Covid support over tax 'error'
During more than a decade as an actress, Kya Garwood has had parts in films like Paddington 2 and Mamma Mia Here We Go Again, as well as being a stand-in and double for leading ladies like Meryl Streep, Michelle Pfeiffer and Lily James.
When the pandemic hit, she should have been eligible for the government’s self-employment grants.
But there was a problem. She was self-employed, but many of the production companies she had worked for had not classed her as such when paying her. So when she came to apply for coronavirus support for the self-employed, she was turned down.
02 March - Arts sector set to receive £400m aid in 2021 Budget
According to reports via the BBC, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak is set to announce an additional new package of £408m for theatres, museums and galleries.
This will involve a further £300m in the Culture Recovery Fund, as well as £90m to help museums and cultural bodies remain afloat until they can reopen. £18.8 million will be provided for community cultural projects.
02 March - Chancellor set to announce £400m for arts sector
The chancellor is set to announce more than £400m of additional support for the badly-hit culture sector in Wednesday’s Budget.
Rishi Sunak is preparing to hand out £408m to help museums, theatres and galleries in England reopen once Covid restrictions start to ease.
01 March - Producers make final plea for government-backed insurance as Budget looms
Leading producers have warned that insurance has become the “final stumbling block” preventing theatre’s post-lockdown return, claiming a government-backed scheme is needed to ensure West End and touring productions can open when restrictions ease.
01 March - When will cinemas, theatres and art galleries reopen after lockdown?
As part of the easing of the third lockdown, the government has announced the return of indoor entertainment from early summer
01 March - Will Covid stub out the tangible thrill of tickets and the history they bring?
I regularly come across forgotten stashes of old theatre tickets or an ancient, dog-eared programme. And when it happens, I love the tsunami of memories it unleashes.
01 March - “I’m determined that we open, whatever it takes”
“I’m determined that we open, whatever it takes” Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber tells #BBCBreakfast rehearsals have been ‘fantastic’ as he unveils plans to reopen his major productions in July.
01 March - Broadway Is Dark. London Is Quiet. But in Australia, It’s Showtime.
Temperature-taking robots, scanning codes for contact tracing, and generous refund policies are helping shows like “Frozen,” “Come From Away” and “Hamilton” get back onstage.