New date announced for Harrogate Theatre's first live show since the pandemic

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The 'Evening With' style event with one of Britain's finest actors Reece Dinsdale will now take place early next year.

Reece tweeted:

Following the announcement over the weekend my #ReecesPiecesLive has moved to SAT 30 JAN 2021.

All tickets buyers have been contacted by email with details on their booking.

We look forward to seeing you all in January!

After taking the decision to reopen the main auditorium in a Covid-secure way for the first time in seven months, the theatre was looking forward to presenting Reece Dinsdale - Reece’s Pieces on Saturday, November 28, albeit with an extensive set of Covid-secure measures and a much-reduced capacity.

But the Government's decision to introduce a new lockdown across England to run from November 5 to December 2 forced a rethink.

Harrogate Theatre’s chief executive David Bown said the theatre had taken the decision not to present the show with the Emmerdale star, TV and film actor and director Reece Dinsdale as an digital experience instead as they wanted it to be a truly special event.

Mr Bown said: “We thought about doing it online but he would prefer to do it in person.”

From the beginning of this year’s pandemic, Mr Bown has taken the view that the Covid crisis would impact on the arts for a longer - and in a more drastic way - than many had hoped.

Its survival chances have been boosted greatly by success in winning £750,000 in total from various Government arts support grants during Covid and the incredible public response to its current emergency appeal.

Even so, it was still forced to take the tough decision to make 60% of its staff redundant in the face of the fact that from March 2020 to April 2021, it will have lost a total of £3.7million in ticket sales.

To support Harrogate Theatre Emergency Appeal, visit www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk

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