Thank you, Great Britain

[Owen22]

Posted: 3/15/20 at 6:36am

I am here in London. I see dozens of shows during a month and a half stay. If (or when) they close the theatres here, there is no reason for me to stay. However, even though Britain at the moment seems like a science experiment, I'm very thankful for the "keep calm and carry on" attitude of the wonderful British people!

Broadway Is Closed, but Londons Theaters Carry On
https://nyti.ms/2xBPhGB

[Princeton2]

Posted: 3/15/20 at 6:45am

erm I think this post is a bit of a narrow view point.

I'm British and there is panic buying, events are being cancelled and universities are starting to go to online teaching. Public spaces are noticeable quieter. People are already starting to self isolate and work from home where possible.

Plus the media is stirring panic which isn't helping.

We are just a little behind other countries in terms of number of cases. A ban on large gatherings is expected this week and I'd guess theatres will follow either this week or next

[binau]

Posted: 3/15/20 at 8:05am

I wish they would shut down the theatres because none of my dates will come with me now and I’m already having to chew tickets. And I’m even questioning my own choices about going to the theatre now given the state. I think the perspective of the circles I know that live in London (including myself) are more surprised at how little action is being taken from the UK government.

[tomwsjr]

Posted: 3/15/20 at 8:58am

It’s extremely reckless for West End theatre’s to still be open!

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 3/15/20 at 9:49am

What I think it really a shame is that the West End theatres are making people go through hoops to get a refund, especially for American that flew back because of the travel ban. Some are better than others, but few if any have been offering refunds so far. 

[ultraviolet99]

Posted: 3/15/20 at 11:00am

everythingtaboo said: "What I think it really a shame is that the West End theatres are making people go through hoops to get a refund, especially for American that flew back because of the travel ban. Some are better than others, but few if any have been offering refunds so far."

I agree. I was supposed to be there this coming week, but postponed because I assumed they would be next in cancelling shows, and it was my only purpose for going. I have not gotten a single refund from any of the 9 shows I purchased tickets for. I was able to change the date on 3 of them (with a £5 fee on 2 of them) and the others I ended up just changing the name on the ticket to some friends I have over there. I was really looking forward to Indecent, but I wonder if it will ever reopen after they close the theatres down. It was only scheduled to run until May 9th. 

 

[Impossible2]

Posted: 3/15/20 at 11:10am

Yes the psychopath in control seems to think infecting as many people as possible is going to help.

[Wick3]

Posted: 3/15/20 at 11:19am

If it's similar to Broadway, wait for an usher/actor/backstage person at a West End theater to get infected, unfortunately, before seeing any changes. :/

[honeybun110]

Posted: 3/15/20 at 11:56am

Wick3 said: "If it's similar to Broadway, wait for an usher/actor/backstage person at a West End theater to get infected, unfortunately, before seeingany changes. :/"

And, unfortunately, at that point, it likely will have spread to more than just that one person. (actor passing to cast/crew, usher passing to other ushers/audience, etc). 

[Plannietink08]

Posted: 3/15/20 at 12:44pm

That’s England. It’s a very different story in Scotland - we’re taking the right precautions and our First Minister is making the hard decisions that the Prime Minister seems to be refusing to make. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/15/20 at 4:46pm

Just got an email from The Old Vic saying they’ve canceled the remaining performances of “Endgame” starring Alan Cumming and Daniel Radcliffe.

[AlanB3]

Posted: 3/15/20 at 6:14pm

I was impressed with the way they are handling this.

 

"The Old Vic operates in an unusual way for a non-commercial theatre in that it has no Arts Council support. Instead it is completely dependent on philanthropic donations, sponsorship and ticket sales. In light of this a full refund of all lost performances would be financially devastating for us, so we are asking all ticket holders for the cancelled performances to please consider donating the cost of the ticket rather than requesting a credit note or refund. For those who donate, we are able to offer a link to an exclusive video recording of the entire production of Endgame, captured earlier in the run, a private video message of appreciation from the cast, and a free Friends membership entitling you to Priority Booking valid for one year."

[devonian.t]

Posted: 3/16/20 at 2:43am

Boris and his gang are using us a some kind of social experiment and he really doesn't care if a few of the plebs have to die as long as his billionaire mates don't suffer too much inconvenience.

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 3/16/20 at 7:45am

Hate to say it but that is what Trump is about here. He cares about stock market gyrations- and all the rest is small potatoes.

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 3/16/20 at 8:27am

Didn’t Johnson said something along the line of “many of your loved ones will die”? He’s basically leaving the whole country to it’s own devices without actively trying to combat the disease. If I live in the U.K., I’d bring all my loved ones and run for our lives.

[Impossible2]

Posted: 3/16/20 at 12:03pm

BWAY Baby2 said: "Hate to say it but that is what Trump is about here. He cares about stock market gyrations- and all the rest is small potatoes."

Boris is just following Trumps lead.

[FlyHigh523]

Posted: 3/16/20 at 4:07pm

Owen22 said: "I am here in London. I see dozens of shows during a month and a half stay. If (or when) they close the theatres here, there is no reason for me to stay. However, even though Britain at the moment seems like a science experiment, I'm very thankful for the "keep calm and carry on" attitude of the wonderful British people!

Broadway Is Closed, but Londons Theaters Carry On
https://nyti.ms/2xBPhGB"

Uhhh... didn’t the west end just close down all of their theatres? 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/16/20 at 4:27pm

Not unless they did it and didn’t tell anyone.

[Impossible2]

Posted: 3/16/20 at 4:28pm

Jordan Catalano said: "Not unless they did it and didn’t tell anyone."

They're pretty much all closed from tonight onwards x

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 3/16/20 at 4:29pm

Yep.

https://playbill.com/article/londons-west-end-and-more-uk-theatres-shut-down-in-response-to-coronavirus-concerns

[Robbie2]

Posted: 3/16/20 at 4:55pm

BWW is always late to the game on news - too busy policing the message board

Announced 2 hours ago

London West End Theaters Close Because Of Coronavirus, Sparking Anger 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/markbeech/2020/03/16/london-west-end-theaters-close-because-of-coronavirus-following-broadway/#6b6e166d7987

 

 

Updated On: 3/16/20 at 04:55 PM

[Impossible2]

Posted: 3/16/20 at 5:06pm

Robbie2 said: "BWW is always late to the game on news - too busy policing the message board

Announced 2 hours ago

London West End Theaters Close Because Of Coronavirus, Sparking Anger

https://www.forbes.com/sites/markbeech/2020/03/16/london-west-end-theaters-close-because-of-coronavirus-following-broadway/#6b6e166d7987



"

They actually announced it many hours ago, there's just been so much news it quickly slipped off the main page x

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/UK-Prime-Minister-Boris-Johnson-Advises-People-To-Avoid-Theatres-20200316

[Robbie2]

Posted: 3/16/20 at 5:17pm

Impossible2 said: "Robbie2 said: "BWW is always late to the game on news - too busy policing the message board

Announced 2 hours ago

London West End Theaters Close Because Of Coronavirus, Sparking Anger

https://www.forbes.com/sites/markbeech/2020/03/16/london-west-end-theaters-close-because-of-coronavirus-following-broadway/#6b6e166d7987



"

They actually announced it many hours ago, there's just been so much news it quickly slipped off the mainpage x

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/UK-Prime-Minister-Boris-Johnson-Advises-People-To-Avoid-Theatres-20200316"

that was an advisory earlier not the actual shutdown notice announced for the West End as other sites have posted

[Impossible2]

Posted: 3/16/20 at 6:13pm

Robbie2 said: "Impossible2 said: "Robbie2 said: "BWW is always late to the game on news - too busy policing the message board

Announced 2 hours ago

London West End Theaters Close Because Of Coronavirus, Sparking Anger

https://www.forbes.com/sites/markbeech/2020/03/16/london-west-end-theaters-close-because-of-coronavirus-following-broadway/#6b6e166d7987



"

They actually announced it many hours ago, there's just been so much news it quickly slipped off the mainpage x

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/UK-Prime-Minister-Boris-Johnson-Advises-People-To-Avoid-Theatres-20200316"

that was an advisory earlier not the actual shutdown notice announced for the West End as other sites have posted"

Well that was all there was, there was no 'official' announcement, theatres just started closing down off the ir own back because he was too gutless to make a proper announcement.

Did you want them to list each productions/theatres closure separately?

[Princeton2]

Posted: 3/16/20 at 6:13pm

It's worth noting that the government haven't closed the theatres, they made an advisory that people should avoid going. This in turn puts pressure on producers and theatres to close anyway so as not to appear socially irresponsible, but without the official government shutdown theatres are vulnerable from being ineligible for insurance etc. Very underhand