Harrogate Theatre boss calls on government to support the arts as 'cultural catastrophe' looms

Despite feeling positive about Harrogate's own cherished arts hub, which first opened in January 1900, David Bown warned that the cultural well-being of the nation was in jeopardy even in the 'new normal'.

Harrogate Theatre's emergency appeal may have been well supported by the town with the total soaring pasthe £50,000 mark.

But, Mr Bown added, the continuing impact of social distancing made it hard to see how a rosy future was possible without Government support.

Mr Bown said: "The business model that most of us follow is a Christmas show that runs at 90% of capacity over many weeks that then props up the rest of the artistic programme.

"The current two metres distancing guidance reduces an auditoriums capacity by 85%, therefore rendering theatre financially unworkable.

"Even the newly talked about one metre ruling would still not work."

To highlight the plight of Harrogate Theatre, renowned Harrogate photojournalist Jude Palmer has been allowed access to the magnificent but empty Victorian building during lockdown to document the times with the help of David Bown.

Jude, whose previous assignments have included the Tour Dr France, the Rugby World Cup, musicians such as Robert Plant, Ronnie Wood, Brian May and Linda Ronstadt, and the building of the NHS Nightingale Hospital in Harrogate, said: "I photographed the mannequins we had placed in the seats representing the social distancing of now and also the ghostly figures of the people that used to fill these seats.

"But when I was inside I sensed Harrogate Theatre is waiting again to be filled with the laughter, drama and the wonder it has held for the last 120 years."

Exclusive photoshoot inside Harrogate Theatre under lockdown

Mr Bown's comments follow news that famous commercial companies in the theatre world such as Cameron Mackintosh Ltd and smaller regional ones like Theatre by The Lake in Cumbria, have announced they are planning consultations to considerably reduce their workforce.

BECTU, the Technicians union, even went as far last week to say last that the redundancies would be “catastrophic for theatre” while the Creative Industries Federation forecast last week that 406,000 jobs this could be lost across the whole of the arts in a 'cultural catastrophe' for the UK.

Mr Bown said: ""The new changes to the furlough scheme state that staff are to be brought back on a part-time basis.

"But some roles no longer exist whilst the industry remains dark, which is why redundancies are regrettably being considered by many organisations.

"The potential cuts come amid a backdrop of warnings from the sector that arts venues will be forced to close without additional government support once the furloughing scheme ends.

"But I remain hopeful that the Chancellor will look sympathetically on the plight of an industry that contributes billions to the UK economy and the cultural well-being of the nation."

How to support Harrogate Theatre

Donate to the Emergency Appeal via www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk;

Join Harrogate Theatre’s membership scheme;

Buy tickets for future shows - or don’t claim a refund on tickets for cancelled shows.

This is what happened at Harrogate's Black Lives Matter protest yesterday on the Stray

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