I miss the theatre so much. I miss the smell of the auditorium and the leftover odour from the smoke machines after the previous performance. I want the chills of the overture crawling down my spine again. I would give the world to sit on one of those worn-out red chairs, that as soon as you stand up your phone has rolled to the foot of the stage. Getting an over-priced ice cream tub during an interval never sounded so good. I also just want to get on my feet and give some fabulous actors a standing ovation, they deserve it now more than ever. 

That yearning will continue for a good few months, though. COVID has demolished the theatre industry and with little help from the government, it seems unlikely the industry will ever make a full recovery. Even with the Government’s bailout of £1.57 billion, there are still many who will face hardship. 

We are now in the Christmas period, where usually you couldn’t turn a corner without seeing a poster for a pantomime. The panto is a joy looked forward to by the whole family. From rich to poor there is a panto for everyone. Small theatre companies relish on this time of year, by getting customers they wouldn’t usually have throughout the rest of the year. The pantomime is a reason for the family to get together, young and old, to put on their nicest outfits and make a night of it. The warm inclusion of a panto lifts the spirits of anyone – even a scrooge. 

Before the pandemic the theatre industry was worth £101.5 billion, that is over £93billion more than what the Premier League contributes to the economy, yet they were allowed to continue their season. Even though many players have broken the rules they were set, and many clubs getting sanctioned for not keeping on top of it. I just don’t understand how any of that makes sense. 

The theatre sector employs 290,000 people. Many of whom are freelancers and work gig to gig. At least 1 in 3 of these people have been excluded from government help. It is feared because of this, many people will decide to back out of their career. The inevitable cuts also seem to weaken the progress of inclusion and diversity, leaving many minority groups within the community jobless. 

Whilst the Governments funding will be a lot of help to the industry it does, however, seem that small theatres and theatre companies will be left out with very little being given to them. The sad truth is, however, that it looks like, with everything in this Tory government, only the big companies will do well, and it will leave jack-squat for everyone else. The likes of Cameron McIntosh, who has done an exceptional job of rallying for performers, will most likely come out of this pandemic just fine. However, those who are not blessed with the rights of West End’s biggest shows will be struggling for years. Local theatres all over the country have had to fundraise online just to make sure their doors will remain open after it is safe to do so. 

I find it utterly devastating that a whole industry has to plead and fundraise their own money just to stay alive. This sector is incredibly important to so many people around the country and is important to the UK’s economy. 

A group that has been doing amazing work throughout this pandemic is the Theatre Support Fund. They have worked with some of the biggest West End shows to create a merchandise design which includes the artwork of 15 different musicals. With each sale, they give 100% of the profits to the charities the Actors Fund and Fleabag for Charity. These two charities work to help artists and professionals survive. They aim to make sure that the important freelancers will be saved and are doing all they can to help. 

However, for now, the curtains remain closed, the ghost light is dimly lit on thousands of stages, and all we have to live for is Hamilton on Disney+. Let’s hope that eventually, things will be Coming Up Roses for the theatre sector so we can all go and enjoy some wonderful performances.