SOLT Update 02 September 2021

Sep 3, 2021 | SOLT Updates

The below correspondence is posted here by kind permission from the Society of London Theatre

The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) is an organisation that works with and on behalf of their Members to champion theatre and the performing arts.

Find out more about SOLT and visit their website here.

Yesterday’s #BackOnStage celebration
A huge thank you to everyone who took part in yesterday’s social media moment as part of our #BackOnStage campaign, celebrating the return of theatres UK-wide and the start of our ‘Autumn season’. 

We saw a 200% increase in uses of #BackOnStage compared to its first launch on 17 May. Overall, since its launch the hashtag has now had over 16.4k uses across Twitter and Facebook alone (only counting posts in English & from public profiles). 

Our #BackOnStage curtain call video reached over 51k accounts and had 8000 views across all channels.

A round-up of #BackOnStage social activity can be found on the Official London Theatre website here.

Creative industries mental health survey
There is a new ACE-funded study of Preventative Care in UK theatre and Creative Industries which has the aim to research preventative actions to support the mental health and wellbeing of both freelancers and salaried staff within the theatre, comedy and arts industries.

By completing this 5-minute confidential survey you can share your experiences of support which will help to develop a new and permanent Mental Health Consultant role to offer guidance and expertise, and to embed critical and long-term support for our industry. The answers and experiences shared from the survey will help to refine this role to provide the best possible support.

More information on the study can be found here.

Action: please share with all freelancers and salaried staff. 

September Mastercard campaign – For SOLT Members
Mastercard continues their ongoing support of London Theatre and are celebrating theatres being #BackOnStage by rewarding audiences with an exclusive voucher giveaway and an Olivier Awards prize draw!

Throughout September, customers who book tickets on Official London Theatre using a Mastercard will receive a £20 voucher per ticket to go towards their next theatre trip, plus the chance to win tickets to the 2022 Olivier Awards. The first 625 customers booking each week for any show on any date will be eligible. Vouchers will be sent to the recipients on 1 October to use before 31 December on Official London Theatre (excluding New Year Sale). 

Action: make sure your show is on sale with us and if it isn’t, email richard@soltukt.co.uk. 
 
TKTS – The Booth Is back in person on 14 September – For SOLT Members
Our new booth will reopen in the heart of Leicester Square Gardens on Tuesday 14 September which we are sure will have a positive impact on our online sales. The new team is in training, and we are very excited to be reopening again. Thank you to all the box offices who have been working with us on on-line sales and we’re excited to see our on-the-day sales growing week on week. 

Action: if you have questions or want to set your show up, email Sarah and the team on tktsonline@soltukt.co.uk. 

Help us to encourage young people back to the theatre with Go Live Fortnight
Can you offer 50 best available tickets at £15 for a performance between 27 September – 10 October? 

Mousetrap Theatre Projects, who subsidise theatregoing programmes for young people, low-income families, schools, and those with additional needs, are planning to re-engage with thousands of young people for a special ‘Go Live Fortnight.’ 

 
Focused on young people aged 15 – 29, who would otherwise financially be unable to attend the theatre, the campaign will provide support to attendees as they embark on their first theatre visit and re-engage with those who had only just started to attend before the pandemic. 
 
As a principal funding partner, SOLT will be supporting shows that participate with promotion on Official London Theatre. 
 

Action: if you are interested in offering tickets, please email bryony@mousetrap.org.uk before 9 September.

Reminder: Vaccine Q&A with the NHS: Tuesday 7 September 2021, 11am
Another reminder that SOLT / UK Theatre will be hosting a Q&A with the NHS next Tuesday 7 Sept at 11am, to address concerns around the COVID-19 vaccine. The session will be open to all and available to join anonymously via this link on the day (no pre-registration is required).

Please share details of the session with company managers and encourage your casts and teams who may be experiencing concerns about taking the vaccine to join the webinar, which will be led by a London GP involved with the vaccine rollout. Questions can be submitted in advance here.

Further resources to address vaccine hesitancy can be downloaded here.

Reminder: Vaccine Bus – For SOLT Members
The vaccine bus has been organised by us with Westminster to be in Shaftesbury Avenue on Saturday 11 September. The bus will be offering the Pfizer vaccine which is available to anyone 16 and over. They offer both 1st and 2nd doses, 2nd doses are only available for those where there is an 8-week gap between 1st and 2nd doses. Details of the vaccine bus locations can be found here.
 
USEFUL RESOURCES

Coronavirus Recovery Guidance

Wellbeing and mental health support for you and your staff

Jobs & careers in the sector