London’s Arts Scene lights up with opening of Theatre, Concerts and Exhibitions
The UK capital’s creative industries are getting back into business — and are desperately making all efforts to make up for lost time and money in this crucial Christmas and New year period. Despite the hope of a return to normality brought by the vaccine rollout shortly, many arts organisations are still facing closure or extreme financial pressure due to several months long lockdown measures.
How to support the arts in London under Tier 2 regulations?? Here are the answers
THEATRES
Among the worst hit art places are London’s famed theatres with their traditional bumper Christmas season badly affected by the limits capping audiences at 1,000 people or 50 per cent, whichever is less.
The audience cap is already coming under pressure from the industry who say it is crippling their finances and want it raised further.
Performers and artists said that the “arbitrary” limits must be “revisited” by the Government. They feel that every precaution has been taken but every venue is different and a random figure of a maximum 50% is too arbitrary and should be revisited. They want as many people as possible to enjoy the wonderful work that has gone on in the art industry safely and also wish to show that the artists and performers are responsible, indomitable and most definitely viable.
The Government has promised to review the tier system every 14 days but even if London was downgraded into tier 1 the 50 per cent limit would remain and a move into tier 3 would see theatres closed completely. Other shows opening complete with capacity caps include A Christmas Carol at the Dominion Theatre, starring ex-EastEnder Jacqueline Jossa, and Drag Queen crime comedy Death Drop which opens on Friday at the Garrick.
The Bridge Theatre, by City Hall, is also putting on a performance of A Christmas Carol.The National Theatre reopened last Friday with its pantomime Dick Whittington with the London Palladium pantomime opening the next day.
GALLERIES
Tate Modern and Tate Britain were both reopened but all visitors are asked to book times tickets online in advance. Group visits are not allowed and masks must be worn in the galleries which have an arranged oneway system built in. Cloakrooms are closed and no paper maps or trails will be given out and there are no guided tours.
The National Gallery also opened today and is running a ticketing scheme. Visitors will get their first chance to see a new display by Artist in Residence Rosalind Nashashibi and its 25th annual Take One Picture exhibition featuring work by primary school children.
The Wallace Collection opened a day later and is also limiting access with a ticketing scheme though visitors can book in person if availability allows.
The Serpentine Gallery opened with an exhibition dedicated to New York painter Jennifer Packer.
The Saatchi Gallery near Sloane Square too has opened.
MUSEUMS
Like galleries, museums too might open in Tier 2 but will have to adhere to social distancing measures and rules, which would again mean limited capacity.
All of the main London venues – including the Science Museum has opened.
The British Museum also has opened in time for its Great Court’s 20th anniversary. Earlier this week, the institution revealed 113 million people have now walked under the famous glass roof.
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