Don't Let Final Curtain Come Down On Our Great Theatres

Britain’s world-leading theatres could collapse completely thanks to the devastating coronavirus pandemic – unless the nation rallies to keep the vital industry alive.

- Paul Jeeves

In response to the unprecedented crisis, the Daily Express today launches a crusade to encourage the public and Government to Raise The Curtain and revive the country’s playhouses.

We believe that once the pandemic eases it will be essential for the health and wellbeing of the country that we can once again enjoy our rich tapestry of culture.

Regional theatre also offers an array of essential community engagement that in many instances can prove to be life-changing programs for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Dramatic

Venues closed their doors in midMarch and the ghost lights have been flickering across Britain’s stages ever since.

Before lockdown, the UK’s creative industries including theatre and the performing arts were growing at almost twice the rate of the wider UK economy.

They were worth £84.1billion a year and employing nearly two million people.

But the dramatic result of having no shows to sell has created a mammoth financial headache which could spell disaster for many of the country’s best-loved venues as they face £330million in lost revenue.

This week a stellar line-up of 100 leading creative figures, including actors Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Andrew Scott and playwrights led by Sir Tom Stoppard, signed an open letter warning British theatre is on the verge of destruction.

Olivier Award nominees James McAvoy, Wendell Pierce, Sharon D Clarke and Emma Rice joined the chorus of performers, writers, directors and arts administrators urging ministers to save an industry brought “to its knees” by Covid-19.