When - eventually - the world is declared 'normal' again and there are no lockdowns, enforced social distancing, closures of theatres and coronavirus is largely suppressed by vaccines, the performing arts world will emerge a very different beast.
So, too, will audiences.
It is optimistic to think that audiences will flood back as before, and although a large proportion of them will, I think that the immediate post-pandemic period may be even riskier than the disruption of 2020 itself. COVID was unquestionably a disaster for many companies (and particularly individuals) but I would also wager that many mid to large scale companies will have actually found their finances in decent order this year. The largesse of audiences, a reduction in the spending on work, often panicked, opportunistic staff reductions and the risk elements of audience response removed, the balance sheet will be better for some than it has been for many years. The support of furlough along with the man
Michael Volpe Thoughts and opinions including the odd review of places. My personal views are expressed here. Inappropriate comments will be removed, including my own. "Noisy at the wrong times" new edition published in September 2015 on Two Roads