National Theatre, RSC and Royal Opera House warn they are facing financial collapse without extra government assistance.

By Vanessa Thorpe: “The National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Opera House are facing financial collapse because of the pandemic and are jointly calling upon the government to throw out a lifeline.

“It is really serious now,” said Greg Doran, the artistic director of the RSC. “And if we lose our performance culture, we lose it for good.” The leaders of the theatres also warn that while they struggle to stay afloat, the whole performing arts sector is in “huge jeopardy”, and that without swift action there will be little left for audiences to see across the country when restrictions are lifted.

Rufus Norris, the artistic director of the NT, said the government should recognise that continued social distancing means most theatres are no longer viable businesses.

Last Thursday, his team told staff based on the South Bank in London that substantial job cuts were needed.

In an interview with Sunday’s Observer, he reveals that waiting until next year to open “would involve us going insolvent”. He added: “Without additional government support 70% of theatres will be boarded up by Christmas.”

Source: The Guardian News & Media