Theatre buildings are to be wrapped with pink barrier tape reading ‘Missing Live Theatre’ to draw attention to the fact that, while much of the entertainment and hospitality industry reopens to customers, theatres will be unable to stage live performances.
Aiming to deliver “a positive message of hope and visibility”, the #MissingLiveTheatre initiative began in an email exchange between a group of set and costume designers, which has now formed a wide community of designers, #scenechange, with over 1,000 members coming together in support of theatre.
#scenechange will work with theatre staff to wrap the theatres with tape, starting with the National Theatre, flowed by the Royal Exchange Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Lyric Belfast and Sherman Theatre across the day on Friday, and throughout the West End on the Saturday. The week of 6th July will see further theatres nationwide joining and more than 50 venues have already committed including the RSC, Sadler’s Wells, Theatr Clwyd, Theatre Royal Stratford East, Sheffield Theatres and Ambassador Theatre Group.
#scenechange said: “As we launch #MissingLiveTheatre, we want to bring joy and colour to theatres across the UK and Ireland, whilst highlighting the ongoing impact of Covid-19, and what we as an industry and local communities are missing.”
Theatres wanting to join in the #missinglivetheatre campaign should contact: action@scene-change.com . The group will provide risk assessment and technical support, as well as linking theatres up with local designers for onsite installation. The tape will remain in place for up to a week before being removed and reused by #scenechange to envelop another theatre.