Artistic director says theatre sector is in ‘premier league of risk’ caused by Covid-19 and calls on increased government support for freelancers.

By Arifa Akbar: “Rufus Norris has warned that the UK’s theatre industry is facing potential devastation as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown, that the National Theatre is “haemorrhaging” money and that some venues are days away from breaking point.

Norris, the National’s artistic director and joint chief executive, told the Guardian he was seriously worried about the future of Britain’s theatres and regarded the industry to be in the “premiere league of risk” because of its dependency on mass indoor gatherings. “I’m a natural optimist and I’m concerned because I don’t feel optimistic,” he said. “Unless there is a real and concerted drive to uphold the cultural industries in this country, it will be devastating. There is no point pretending otherwise.”

Source: The Guardian