The National Theatre has begun it’s process of modelling reconfigured spaces in preparation for socially distanced shows.
Throughout the lockdown period, The National Theatre streamed sixteen productions on YouTube for audiences to enjoy from the comfort of their own homes.
Now that the government have announced outdoor performances can go ahead, the next step is the reopening of theatres for indoor performances.
Going ahead with indoor performances will need venues and production companies to become more creative. The Thameside Venue said, “we are modelling a reconfiguration of our theatre spaces to allow audiences in ‘social bubbles’ to attend together”.
As expressed to the government, even if the social distancing measures were reduced to one metre, audience’s wouldn’t look the same as they were pre-lockdown.
The National Theatre have emphasised the importance of not just keeping theatres in good condition so they are ready to use. This would result in mass unemployment and would take the industry longer to restart once safe to do so.
It seems that even if indoor performances were to go ahead, the theatre industry won’t have the same atmosphere we have grown up to love and previosuly enjoyed.
Words by Neve Gordon-Farleigh.
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