The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) announced last week that planned in-person performances of its Tales for Winter series on the 18th and 19th of December will be moved online.
Warwickshire, home of the RSC, will be placed into tier three lockdown restrictions from the 2nd of December, forcing theatres to remain closed to the public.
RSC Executive Director Catherine Mallyon and Artistic Director Gregory Doran said “we are desperately disappointed with the news as we know audiences want to come and be welcomed back into the theatre.
“We have worked hard over many weeks to put strong safety measures in place ready for that moment, and we look forward optimistically to 2021 when we will reopen our theatres. Meanwhile, we look forward to sharing our Tales for Winter season online.”
Following today's announcement we will continue with our plans to stream our Tales for Winter events online, but as Stratford-upon-Avon is now under Tier 3 Covid restrictions from 2 December, Festive Tales will only be available to watch online and not in person.
— The RSC (@TheRSC) November 26, 2020
Thanking their supporters and colleagues, they noted “the announcement today means further difficulties and hardship to theatres and freelance colleagues around the country on top of those already faced over the last eight months.”
Anyone who bought tickets to the sold-out events will be given a streaming ticket alongside a partial refund, a full refund, or an opportunity to donate.
Words by Blathnaid Corless.
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