SOLT Update 19 August 2021

Aug 22, 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.

Scotland
Guidance for the reopening of cultural performances and events sector has been updated and published yesterday. It clarifies the remaining requirements for the move beyond Level 0 allowing venues to operate with few legal restrictions.

Kids Week family theatre activities in Leicester Square Gardens
Next week (Monday 23 – Friday 27 August) we are running a variety of free, outdoor theatre activities in the heart of Leicester Square for Kids Week, as part of the Mayor of London’s #LetsDoLondon campaign. The full schedule of activities can be found here.

West End LIVE
This year’s West End LIVE is taking place on Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 September in Trafalgar Square, and we will be announcing the full list of participating shows tomorrow. We have created some downloadable assets to use across social if your show is participating – available here. Please note that the social assets are for use by participating shows from this Saturday onwards. 

1 September #BackOnStage moment
To celebrate theatres across the UK now being able to reopen we are bringing back our #BackOnStage social media moment. This will happen from midday on Thursday 1 September 2021.

We would like everyone in the industry to celebrate, including performers, front of house, freelancers, marketing agencies and beyond. We want every business that will be positively impacted by theatres being able to open fully to get involved too. We would like you to post the following:

  • Theatres: Post a video or image of your doors opening with someone holding a sign saying ‘We’re #BackOnStage’.
  • Performers: Post a video of someone opening your dressing room doors holding a sign saying ‘I’m #BackOnStage’.
  • Everyone else: please take a photo holding a sign with #BackOnStage to post on your social channels.

We have created some printable signs, and we’d like everyone to post their photo / video from midday on 1 September 2021. 

Strand Aldwych 2-way traffic switch works
From 7pm Thursday 19 August until early afternoon on Sunday 22 August, Aldwych and the Strand (east side) will be closed to all traffic whilst Westminster Council carries out works to permanently change the road layout and switch to 2-way traffic on Aldwych (part of the scheme to pedestrianize a section of the Strand and create a new public space). 

Road closures include: A4 Strand; Aldwych; Catherine Street; Drury Lane; Kingsway; Sardinia Street; Catton Street; Fleet Street. Marshalling points will be active on all approaches to Strand and Aldwych for deliveries. For a complete list of road closures and diversions visit here.

As part of the traffic switch, all buses travelling eastbound towards Trafalgar Square or southbound towards Waterloo will be rerouted by the eastern and western arms of Aldwych. New bus stops will be in place with stopping arrangements for each bus route. For more information visit here.

Family Arts Campaign 2021 Conference: now booking
This year the UK’s largest family arts and culture conference goes online on 16-17 November 2021. We’ll be exploring the value of arts and culture for families, and how you can recover, rebuild and refocus your plans post-pandemic. This event is aimed at leaders, creators, marketers, practitioners, programmers and anyone working with families and older audiences.

We are offering EARLY BIRD tickets until 17 September, with the opportunity to save up to 29%. More information and booking details can be found here.

Reminder: Vaccinations – For SOLT Members
We are in discussions with NHS London about offering a private clinic for casts who are nervous about taking the vaccine so that they can talk through their concerns with a trained clinician and further details will be shared shortly.

As a reminder, we have organised the vaccine bus with Westminster to be in Shaftesbury Avenue on 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. Below is the bus schedule for tomorrow and this weekend:
 

Fri 20/08        Chelsea Festival, Blantyre Street SW10 (at Worlds End Estate) 12:00 – 17:00
Sat  21/08 WECH Summer Festival, Tamplin Mews Gardens. Bus would be located on Chippenham Road W9 2AH 10:00 – 17:00
Sun     22/08 Sainsburys Car park, Ladbroke Grove W10 5AA 10:00 – 14:00
 

Please also see the below links from the NHS to share with cast and staff:

Job vacancy: Director of Communications & Sales at Lyric Hammersmith
Lyric Hammersmith is now recruiting for a Director of Communications & Sales who will lead the development and delivery of the Lyric’s communications, marketing, sales and audience development strategies. As a member of the Lyric’s Senior Management Team, the Director of Communications & Sales plays a central role in income generation for the theatre with responsibility for brand, reputation and advocacy.

Find out more and download the job information pack here.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Coronavirus Recovery Guidance

Wellbeing and mental health support for you and your staff

Jobs & careers in the sector