Leading Performing Arts Venues, Federation Of Scottish Theatre, Call On The Government To Review Social Distancing Guidelines
Without a change to the guidance, significantly more public sector finance will be required to protect an already deeply damaged sector.by BWW News Desk
Eleven of Scotland s leading performing arts venues, with the Federation of Scottish Theatre, have collectively called on the newly returned Scottish Government to urgently review the social distancing requirements required in their venues as Coronavirus restrictions continue to be eased. Without a change to the guidance, significantly more public sector finance will be required to protect an already deeply damaged sector.
Last modified on Tue 11 May 2021 05.35 EDT
Theatres in Scotland have called for an urgent review of Covid-19 social distancing restrictions for audiences, saying that the current two-metre rule leaves them in a perilous position.
On Monday, all of Scotland is expected to move into protection level 2, which permits theatres to open with social distancing and capacity limits agreed with local authorities. But in a survey conducted by the Federation of Scottish Theatre (FST), 96% of members responded that it is not economically viable for them to reopen under the current restrictions.
The requirement of at least two-metre social distancing in venues means the 236-capacity Tron in Glasgow could accommodate 14 theatregoers (6% of its usual full audience). Dundee Rep, which usually fits a capacity of 455, would have an audience of 80 (18%). A one-metre distance between theatregoers would raise those audience numbers to 60 and 110 respectively.
Stirling s Macrobert Arts Centre leads calls for easing of social distancing rules
Its normal capacity is 478, but with the restricted capacity of two metres-plus that drops to 92 (19 per cent) and 186 at one metre (39 per cent).
Updated
The Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling
Join thousands of others in getting the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox.Invalid EmailSomething went wrong, please try again later.
Subscribe
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Your information will be used in accordance with ourPrivacy Notice.
Thank you for subscribingWe have more newslettersShow meSee ourprivacy notice