Update on our THEATRE: 31 July 2020

We hope you have been able to enjoy some of the online activities that have kept a virtual light on for Putney Arts Theatre during lockdown. Since our last update, theatre staff and trustees have continued to monitor the impact and review the emerging government guidance to enable PAT to operate safely and provide protection against Covid-19 going forward.

The government has now announced that theatres and other venues can host socially distanced performances from 1 August, but the reality is that, like many venues, we will not be able to return to normal operations overnight. However, we hope to gradually increase our in-person activities over the next few months, while maintaining the online events that have done so much to maintain our sense of community, not least for those from vulnerable groups who may still be concerned about returning to “normality”. 

Group 64 will host two on site Summer Projects for young people in August as the first test of how to return to using the theatre. These three-day workshops for small groups of young people working in “bubbles” will be operated according to a detailed Health and Safety Plan and Risk Assessment, following the relevant Covid Secure Guidance for Workplaces and Out of School Settings. These workshops will help us better understand how we can operate over the autumn, both in terms of future Group 64 classes and PTC productions and other activities. 

We are revising our cleaning regime and putting in place the necessary safety and protective measures in line with government guidance. These will be in place by the time people return to the theatre. As part of this we are reviewing some of our usual ways of working including how many people can safely be in the building at any one time to maintain social distancing. We remain hopeful that classes, shows and social activities will return in the autumn, albeit with reduced numbers.  We will keep you up to date with all changes as they are introduced.

We’ve continued to closely monitor the financial situation and the potential deficit for the year, which remains challenging. Until we confirm plans around PTC productions and G64 autumn classes, our income, generated from activities, remain limited, so we are enormously grateful for the donations we’ve continued to receive for our Shine On campaign, which has now raised £15k including regular donations. We’ve received several small charitable grants to support G64 activities and met our income targets for the virtual G64 classes for the summer term. Our first online PTC performance ‘Truth and Dare’ raised nearly £600. We’ve also continued to be supported by the government furlough scheme.

We’re conscious that, alongside the global pandemic, we’ve also been confronted with the ugly reality of racism with the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the extraordinary international response through the Black Lives Matter movement. Many organisations have started a conversation about their role and responsibilities to combat racism and engage with issues impacting black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, and PAT is no different. Artistic Directors Zoëand Jeff have written a Commitment to Change statement which will be posted on our website together with a PAT Code of Conduct for all users of the theatre. Trustee Zoe Copley will be convening a working group to review how PAT as a whole engages with issues of equality, diversity and inclusion and what action we should be taking to ensure that our theatre is a place that is genuinely open and welcoming to all.

In the meantime, we hope that you continue to keep well and healthy.

Group 64

You can read a statement from Group 64 about their current situation here. 

Putney Theatre Company

You can read a statement from Putney Theatre Company about their current situation here.