How to continue supporting the theatre industry as the UK heads into another lockdown

 Unfortunately, from Thursday once again theatres across the UK will go dark until at least the 2nd December and once again puts our much-loved industry into uncertainty. Here are some ways you can continue to support the industry at this time.

1.Donate to charities supporting the industry

There are an array of charities that have already set up to help those, especially freelancers, who don't have any money to support themselves as opportunities and productions once again are cancelled or delayed across the UK.

These include:

 www.actingforothers.co.uk, www.royalvarietycharity.org, www.actorsbenevolentfund.co.uk. 

2. Buy venue memberships

Consider buying membership, friend, and loyalty schemes available at your local theatre. This will not only give you many amazing perks but will also help support your local theatre financially. A win-win, if you have the means to help out in a financial way.

3. Donate over refund

A lot of venues are asking, if they have the means asking ticket holders to donate the cost of their ticket or to keep the cost of the ticket as a credit note for future shows rather than getting a refund.

4. Buy play scripts

Even if you don't have a chance to watch a full production, you can still have play scripts delivered to you – which will allow you to support writers and companies across the UK, as well as our incredible assortment of script publishers. This doesn't just apply to scripts of course, you can also pick up instructional guides, theatre how-tos and general arts-related books.

 

5. Be patient

If you're a ticket holder, the best thing to do is wait for your venue to contact you regarding your performance. Trust us – the theatre workforce, freelance and salaried, is full of brilliant and ingenious people that once again will be completely snowed under after the announcement of a second lockdown. But they will be in touch (oh, and be sure to check your spam – a lot of updated ticket details can go there!).

 

6. Buy merchandise

There are a ton of venue-owned online stores available so you can always find stage-y gifts to purchase. A great way to give someone a pick-me-up during these trying times- and of course Christmas is just around the corner too.

 

7. Watch shows and performances online, and donate where possible

In this digital age, a show can still go on even if there's no one in the room. Many producers have been cooking up ways to create content to keep performers in work and put shows in front of theatre-lovers. We'll be covering these as and when they come up they will be in our guide.

8. Shout about things

Social media is there and is a vital way of linking up artists and opportunities. Social media is also a great way to spread any good news and as a means to keep each others morale up as we head into another difficult time.

Why don’t you follow us as a start (we try our best to keep people smiling at this difficult time by spreading news of amazing online shows and videos that the amazing creative people of our industry are continuing to create!)

Theatres Online Facebook Theatres Online Twitter Theatres Online Instagram

 

9. Subscribe, sign-up and keep an eye-out

At the moment, we don't know when things are going to go back to "normal" – or if venues will be able to reopen in December(although we’re all keeping our fingers crossed). But if you follow your favourite venues on social media, sign-up for newsletters or bookmark pages, you can be there to cheer on the industry in what might be its darkest hour.

 As a start you can sign up to our newsletter here (scroll to the very bottom of the page)

 

10. Look ahead

It may all look uncertain at the moment, but it is only through resilience that the industry will keep itself going, we’ve got through it once before and can definitely do it again. It's never too early to think about finding the light at the end of the tunnel – if you're an audience member then start drawing up a wish list of shows you want to book for, with many shows already on sale for 2021 and 2022 that you can browse here.