Tamara Rojo: A second lockdown is a real blow for the arts industry

The second lockdown is “a real blow” to the arts which had only just started to recover from the first, according to English National Ballet head Tamara Rojo.

The dancer, a former star with the Royal Ballet, said: “It is a real blow for the industry. Venues, companies and producers had made significant investments in preparing and ensuring Covid safe performances. This is all now lost with little clarity on how and when we might be allowed to reopen. “It is even more tragic for the vast majority of workers who are freelance and were relying on this planned income to survive.”

Her comments were echoed by National Theatre boss Rufus Norris who is now preparing to close the buildng’s doors on Wednesday night - just 24 hours before critics should have been taking their seats for press night of a new play.

The Death of England: Delroy opened on October 21 for previews and should have been running until November 28 with a pantomime also planned for December,

He said he recognised “the clear need for the government to take strong action” but said it was disappointing to cancel performances “after all the hard work that has gone into welcoming audiences safely back to the NT”.

He said: “The extension of the furlough scheme is welcomed, but it doesn’t help the freelancers who we utterly rely on, and most of whom are still unable to access any financial support. The response from our audience over the last couple of weeks has been electric, both in support of the play but also in recognition of the work we’ve done to keep them safe, so from every point of view we hope we’ll be able to reopen on 2 December.  

“Meanwhile, we’re seeking clarification that rehearsals can continue, and our aim is to go ahead with Dick Whittington in December if there is any way we can. The Secretary of State has confirmed that filming can go ahead so we’re ploughing ahead with the filming of Romeo & Juliet. In every way possible we will keep activity going, employing artists wherever there is an opportunity, and making work for our audiences.”

Louise Stewart, the CEO of Grade II listed Alexandra Palace, said she had thought they survived the previous lockdown with government funding and outdoor events but the new moves “feel like a big step back”.

She said: “If the lockdown is only four weeks we will be able to reschedule November events and I hope those artists will still want to work with us and I’m sure the audiences will have even more pent up desire to come out.”