Following the news that theatres will once again have to close from later this week as the UK enters a second national lockdown, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has confirmed that arts venues are allowed to open for rehearsals and streamed performances; it is only the audience who are not able to attend.

This confirmation that rehearsals can continue is good news for the shows hoping to reopen in December, although the industry did have to wait until late Monday evening for the announcement.

Dowden took to Twitter at 9pm to clear up the confusion. In response to a question about rehearsals and streamed performances, he replied: “Arts venues are places of work, so people can come into them for work, if it cannot be undertaken from home. This includes rehearsals and performance. Audiences are not permitted.”  

This statement has effectively given the green light to live streamed shows without audiences from 5 November with Chichester Festival Theatre, the Old Vic and Southwark Playhouse all having streamed performances planned. It is thought that more streamed performances will be planned over the coming weeks.  

Of course, the lockdown may be extended but at this moment in time, many productions are now using 3 December as a proposed return date.

Fingers crossed, Besties!