The theatre industry has been hit incredibly hard by lockdown. Before the government’s £1.57 billion rescue package, there was no support for the arts industry. However, in the midst of the chaos and constant stream of bad news, the industry came together to support each other and provide well needed entertainment for the public.
It is impossible to celebrate theatre in lockdown without mentioning the outstanding success that is Hamilton. Hamilton arrived on Disney+ on the 3rd of July to rave reviews (read ours here). Watching it on Disney+ was an incredible experience, allowing those of us who didn’t get to see the original cast witness the magic. It also serves as a reminder of what we love about live theatre, the magic, the atmosphere, and live singing. The release of Hamilton has left many people questioning why all theatre productions aren’t filmed and released as films, but that is missing the point. Theatre should be live; the beauty of live theatre is that it’s constantly changing, no one performance is the same, and films simply can’t capture that. Films of shows are, however, a great alternative whilst we can’t go to the theatre.
But, it wasn’t just Hamilton which was released for the public. Whilst it is no longer available, the creative team behind Eugenius published archive footage from their run at The Other Palace and raised £15,746 for Acting for Others. The success of Eugenius is a true credit to theatre fans across the globe. The Southwark Playhouse are also streaming some of their shows (including Wasted and Twelfth Night) and have created a musical theatre playlist. For those of us who missed these shows when they were live, being able to see them from your living room is a rare and joyous treat.
It’s not just full shows that have been available to watch online- since the beginning of lockdown, there has been an increase in concerts from famous West End stars. The Theatre Cafe teamed up with Lambert Jackson Productions to create a series of Leave a Light On concerts. The concerts were only £7.50, with the largest percentage of proceeds going to the artist. For someone who lives up North, and therefore very rarely gets to see West End concerts, they were a great treat during the darkness of lockdown.
We spoke to Emma Kingston, who took part in Leave A Light On
Why did you feel it was important to take part in Leave A Light On?
I felt it was important to be a part of something that was giving people in the arts a voice. I felt like it was a way to give back to my community and support my friends.
Your concert was the first one done at home, was it difficult to set that up? Did you feel extra pressure for being the first one doing the concert at home?
Yes! I was so nervous! More nervous than being in a venue. I also wanted to do a good job so people could see that the medium worked and would support others. But, my team made the technical part so easy.
The response to the Leave A Light On was amazing, does that give you hope for the response once theatres open?
It was the most bizarre experience. I kept saying “thank you” at the end of each song, because I kept forgetting I was just in my living room alone. I hope people come back to theatres and feel safe enough to do so. One of my good friends is currently playing Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera in South Korea. They are making it work and subsequently haven’t closed, so it is possible! Arts are escapism, theatre is escapism- it makes people smile, and I think we need it now more than ever.
As Emma says, “Arts are escapism”- and this escapism is needed more than ever. With the recent rescue package and the announcement that outdoor performances can go ahead from this weekend the future is looking considerably brighter for the arts industry. As we move towards the new normal, we will always remember how the industry came together to bring light during the darkness of Coronavirus.
Words by Orla McAndrew.