capybara Posted March 16, 2020 Author Share Posted March 16, 2020 The daily statement from the Prime Minister has just made it clear that people should not be going to theatres. This implies closures from tomorrow. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebird Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 (edited) I was due to go to this evening's performance of Traviata. After hearing the Prime Minister's announcement, I called the ROH Box Office to find out if it would go ahead. I was told that it would be going ahead as normal. However, minutes after putting the phone down, the very kind Box Office Assistant called me back to tell me that the performance had, indeed, been cancelled. That presumably means no more ROH performances in the immediate future. Edited March 16, 2020 by Bluebird 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penelopesimpson Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 Respect your view, MAX, but many of us in the UK prefer to chart our own course rather than follow diktats. Personally, I am allergic to the word forbidden whereas knowlege and persuasion work for me every time. A tad disconcerted by the idea that five people constitutes a meeting! We cannot blithely assume that 'the beautiful world of ballet' can be deep frozen, ready to be defrosted in its entirety just because we decide to emerge from our caves. Nothing political or medical, just that proportionality and perspective should be the name of the game. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penelopesimpson Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 (edited) Sorry to hear that, Bluebird. Sorry for you and in mourning for the Arts. Just took a look at ROH website. Tickets still on sale for all peformances other than tonight. Any thoughts, anyone? Edited March 16, 2020 by penelopesimpson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeauxArts Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 The Bolshoi Theatre is closing from 17 March to 10 April. One suspects it is only a matter of time before the ROH follows suit - surely.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted March 16, 2020 Author Share Posted March 16, 2020 12 minutes ago, penelopesimpson said: Sorry to hear that, Bluebird. Sorry for you and in mourning for the Arts. Just took a look at ROH website. Tickets still on sale for all peformances other than tonight. Any thoughts, anyone? The website has not caught up with the decisions made by the ROH management/Governors. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zxDaveM Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 the government have 'hinted' that people shouldn't go to theatres (and pubs etc), without actually saying they should shut, sorta abdicating the responisilty and leaving it up to the venues. I can't see how the venues can ignore that hint though, and stay open. So even if we wanted to chance it, I don't think we'll be given the opportunity. So, boxed sets and books it is! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gargouillade Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 (edited) 17 minutes ago, penelopesimpson said: many of us in the UK prefer to chart our own course rather than follow diktats I would hardly call WHO advice a 'diktat'. This is a global pandemic and the idea of 'charting one own's course' is not very helpful. 52 minutes ago, capybara said: The daily statement from the Prime Minister has just made it clear that people should not be going to theatres. I wonder why they are not enforcing closure. Seems like a mixed message. Surely enforcing closure would help venues and performers with insurance payouts and the like? Edited March 16, 2020 by Gargouillade 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 I guess that's it, then. I was wondering a couple of weeks ago whether it would be possible to record the scheduled broadcast of Swan Lake in an empty theatre, for future release, but I suspect not even that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zxDaveM Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 Just now, alison said: I guess that's it, then. I was wondering a couple of weeks ago whether it would be possible to record the scheduled broadcast of Swan Lake in an empty theatre, for future release, but I suspect not even that. probably not, as they will be closing cinemas too, I assume Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 That's why I said for future release. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 Arts Council England to support freelance performers, it has been announced. Berlin Philharmonic Digital Concert Hall current free subscriptions. Met Opera doing some HD streaming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 Time Out has changed its logo to Time In, and is trying to resurrect that Blitz spirit: https://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/why-weve-changed-our-logo-to-time-in-for-now?UID=c2eea9f5-d7c8-436f-afb4-6b58c79dc377&tmsb=jti3hil&tmsl=gb-lon-en-cta-new&tmty=e&tmcv=284&tmcs=3r8pxup&cid=email--NEWSLETTER--EMEA_GB_LON_EN_NEWSLETTER_20190316--181023--3/16/2020&subsid=25348--308--5792718 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane S Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 Given the developing situation with the COVID-19 virus, the Royal Opera House is currently closed (home page of ROH site now) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebird Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 From the ROH Twitter feed: "In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken the decision with a heavy heart to close the building to the public and cancel all performances at the Royal Opera House with immediate effect We will be in contact with all ticket buyers in due course" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJW Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 By Alex Beard (Chief Executive) Monday 16 March 2020, 6.12pm The safety and security of the Royal Opera House staff, audiences and artists is of paramount importance and we take this responsibility very seriously. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken the decision with a heavy heart to close the building to the public and cancel all performances in Covent Garden with immediate effect. The staff and artists of the ROH are vital to the lifeblood of our art forms, without them we would simply not exist. This suspension of performances will impact not only our loyal audience but also our committed and talented workforce. We will work within the government guidelines to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our staff and artists during this difficult time. Our employees, permanent and casual, are reliant on the income which we derive through ticket purchases. Without performances it is inevitable that we will become more reliant on philanthropic support and charitable donations. We will be in contact with all ticket buyers in due course. Where possible, we ask that you consider donating the value of your tickets to the Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation rather than requesting a credit note or refund. You can keep up to date via the ROH social media channels for announcements on a programme of free broadcasts we will bring you during this period of closure. We thank you for your continued support of the ROH, it is invaluable during these uncertain times. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 It had to happen. He didn’t say for how long. I guess they will have to see how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zxDaveM Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 9 minutes ago, Jane S said: Given the developing situation with the COVID-19 virus, the Royal Opera House is currently closed (home page of ROH site now) just came through on their Facebook page too: "In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken the decision with a heavy heart to close the building to the public and cancel all performances at the Royal Opera House with immediate effect We will be in contact with all ticket buyers in due course" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zxDaveM Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 Just now, Sim said: It had to happen. He didn’t say for how long. I guess they will have to see how it goes. Yes, that's a point, no-one has said for how long these closures will have to be for. Weeks? Months? (and sadly, in some cases probably forever 😞 ) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowan Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 The change regarding the BBC licence fee for the over-75s has been suspended for a while. A small plus there. (I do not work for the BBC.) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 (edited) 7 minutes ago, zxDaveM said: Yes, that's a point, no-one has said for how long these closures will have to be for. Weeks? Months? (and sadly, in some cases probably forever 😞 ) During today's official press conference, I think it was Chris Whitty who said this is not "two weeks and we're done" but significantly longer (the BBC probably has the exact quote). Some bodies have made date announcements, others (like the government or the ROH just now) are leaving things open. The experts are clearly monitoring events as they develop and it is far too soon to set an exact timetable. So when we see announcements saying such-and-such is closed "until April 10th" we should prepare for the possibility that the date will be extended. Edited March 16, 2020 by Geoff 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaE Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 22 minutes ago, alison said: Time Out has changed its logo to Time In, and is trying to resurrect that Blitz spirit: https://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/why-weve-changed-our-logo-to-time-in-for-now?UID=c2eea9f5-d7c8-436f-afb4-6b58c79dc377&tmsb=jti3hil&tmsl=gb-lon-en-cta-new&tmty=e&tmcv=284&tmcs=3r8pxup&cid=email--NEWSLETTER--EMEA_GB_LON_EN_NEWSLETTER_20190316--181023--3/16/2020&subsid=25348--308--5792718 brilliant! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob S Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 9 minutes ago, zxDaveM said: Yes, that's a point, no-one has said for how long these closures will have to be for. Weeks? Months? (and sadly, in some cases probably forever 😞 ) I'm guessing it'll be 'four week'...then after three weeks it will be two more weeks, then a week later etc etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 7 minutes ago, Geoff said: During today's official press conference, I think it was Chris Whitty who said this is not "two weeks and we're done" but significantly longer (the BBC probably has the exact quote). Some bodies have made date announcements, others (like the government or the ROH just now) are leaving things open. The experts are clearly monitoring events as they develop and it is far too soon to set an exact timetable. So when we see announcements saying such-and-such is closed "until April 10th" we should prepare for the possibility that the date will be extended. From the live report on the Guardian website: Q: When will we know this is going to be over? Whitty says this will run for some time. "This is not two weeks and we’re done. This is a significant period of time." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 The Lowry is closed from tomorrow (assume no performance tonight). Apparently Leeds Grand are having a meeting to discuss the implications. This is obviously going to hit the Arts really hard ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 Please look to the countries that were at this point before you: EVERYTHING is going to close, except for supermarkets, pharmacies and banks. Everyone will go into isolation at home. Let's hope the internet won't break down... Good luck to you!!! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annamicro Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 53 minutes ago, alison said: I guess that's it, then. I was wondering a couple of weeks ago whether it would be possible to record the scheduled broadcast of Swan Lake in an empty theatre, for future release, but I suspect not even that. Dancers and staff have the right to protect their health too. Naples Teatro di San Carlo launched #stageathome and will stream some archive performances https://www.teatrosancarlo.it/it/pages/stage-at-home.html 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 ATG theatres have closed with immediate effect. They are talking about exchanging tickets rather than refunding. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MargaretN7 Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 The Royal Opera House has said it will be providing some free broadcasts. Watch its social media channels for info. And I will be telling them not to refund me my ticket money, make it a donation. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob S Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 1 hour ago, alison said: I guess that's it, then. I was wondering a couple of weeks ago whether it would be possible to record the scheduled broadcast of Swan Lake in an empty theatre, for future release, but I suspect not even that. As the Takada/Bonelli performance was filmed for Japanese telly perhaps they'll just use that for something in the future 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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