A Covid-safe pop-up theatre is launching in Truro this winter, featuring clear pods to house audience members. Popp Theatre has been founded by actors Catherine Lake and Jason Gerdes who are the mastermind behind the brand-new in-the-round venue.

The Gwaryjy contains 16 clear pods, each able to fit up to four audience members inside, bringing the pop-up venues total capacity to 64. It is expected to launch with a six-week residency at Truro’s Pydar pop-up space next month. 

It will host a Christmas show as well as theatre, dance, comedy, poetry and cabaret performances, with plans to issue a call-out to any performers interested in using the space. There are then plans to move the structure to other locations. 

Truro City Council and Cornwall Council are supporting the venue by subsidising one pod for every show, allowing for a bubble of four people who have been adversely affected by the pandemic to see a show for free. The free pod will be allocated via a lottery system. 

Catherine Lake said: “The sharp rise in mental-health illnesses, loneliness and forced isolation are very real issues that have spiked during this crisis. We hope to alleviate some of this by encouraging those in isolation to get out to enjoy live performances again or for the first time. Our focus is on the community, by providing a space for live entertainment, we can come together, and provide a powerful healing place, of laughter and shared experience.” 

Jason Gerdes added: “Gwaryjy (pronounced Gawr-ee-gree) means ‘theatre in the house’ in Cornish. We are committed to making this a community-friendly space. That is why it is so fantastic we can create this in the Pyder Pop-up space, which is fast establishing as a community-led space.”

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