What a night out at London's theatres will be like when they reopen
| Date | 01 April 2021 |
| Published date | 01 April 2021 |
There will be one interval and there is just one performer in each of the three plays by leading playwrights Tanika Gupta, Simon Stephens and Roy Williams.
The plays look at Gandhi’s battle against class and imperialism whilst a student in London, a father’s journey confronting his father’s racism set against the Black Lives Matter protests, and a celebration of black women and everyday resilience in the face of adversity.
People from the same household or support bubble can buy tickets in groups or one or two -or contact the box office if their group is bigger.
Audiences will have to wear face coverings and there will be no lingering in the foyer -instead timed entry is the order of the day.
Whilst many organised theatre-goers are used to pre-ordering their drinks to avoid the interval rush the supervised staggered entry and exit by rows was brought in because of the pandemic.
Different theatres have brought in other changes -Shakespeare’s Globe on the South Bank is shaking things up by scrapping the interval and bringing the start time forward.
However the Lyric, which celebrated its 125th birthday last year is keeping the interval. It gives audiences the chance to go to the toilet and enjoy a drink or ice cream -traditionally important money-earners.
It raised £79,800 through a crowdfunder in November but has also had to make redundancies after the lengthy closure last year.
The theatre’s commercial director Paul Gallagher said the team are thrilled to welcome audiences back this summer when the curtain goes up in June.
“Ensuring our staff and audiences are safe, secure and comfortable on their return to the Lyric is our number one priority," he said.
The theatre is following government guidelines and the industry standard ‘See It Safely’ Covid-19 safety measures.
Mr Gallagher explained the ways the theatre has adapted.
“For our new upcoming show Out West which will run from June 18 to July 24, changes include e-tickets and an advanced online booking system, staggered entry times and socially distanced seating operating on a ‘bubble seating’ mode for up to six people as required, and additional front-of-house guidance around the building by the Lyric staff.”
And he said staff will be busy helping the audience navigate the new rules.
“Customers will also be taken to their seating level separately to those on other levels in order to...
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