Social distan-sing! Plans are unveiled for world’s first drive-in opera at Alexandra Palace to offer audiences live entertainment ‘in a safe environment’ during coronavirus lockdown
- Performers will stay six feet apart in show to adhere with social-distancing rules
- First 12 shows will include Puccini’s La Bohème and Mozart’s The Magic Flute
- Production will take place over three weeks in September in Haringey, London
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Plans have been unveiled for the world’s first drive-in opera at Alexandra Palace to offer audiences live entertainment in a ‘safe environment’ during the coronavirus lockdown.
The show will initially be a 90-minute performance of Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème, a story set in Paris circa 1830 about four struggling bohemians, and a one-hour production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, a fantastical tale written in 1791.
Performers will stay six feet apart to adhere with the government’s social-distancing guidelines during the opera in Haringey, north London.
It comes amid a rise in popularity for drive-in cinemas as viewers can enjoy a show and remain socially distanced from others in their car, while movie theatres are closed during the pandemic.
Jonathan Miller’s production of La Bohème from the English National Opera’s 2018/19 season. The story is set in Paris circa 1830 and is about four struggling bohemians
English National Opera (ENO) has organised for the performance to take place in September, spanning over three weeks.
ENO’s chief executive Stuart Murphy told The Guardian: ‘It is a bit of an experiment and if it works it might be a way of bringing the art form to people in a totally different and authentic way.’
The idea, which is based on whether driving limitations are lifted amid the lockdown, will allow for 300 cars alongside pedal bikes and motorcycles.
Mr Murphy added: ‘I miss seeing my brother and sister, seeing my mates close up and I miss seeing something live. It is human nature to yearn for that.
‘Hopefully we can offer that universal, collective experience in a safe environment.’
The plan comes as a drive-in cinema in front of the ‘Phoenix West’ former blast furnace in Dortmund, west Germany, recently opened amid the pandemic.
An aerial view showing cars at a newly opened drive-in cinema in front of the ‘Phoenix West’ former blast furnace in Dortmund, west Germany, on April 17 amid the coronavirus pandemic
Comedian David Werker appears with his programme ‘Suddenly Serious’ at the Theater an der Niebuhrg that offers drive-in cinema on April 16 in Oberhausen, Germany
The band Brings also performed a concert at a drive-in cinema in Cologne, Germany, earlier this month.
And comedian David Werker appeared with his programme ‘Suddenly Serious’ at the Theater an der Niebuhrg that offers drive-in cinema in Oberhausen.
With nearly all of US movie theatres shuttered due to the virus, some drive-in owners think they’re in a unique position to give moviegoers a chance to do something out of the house while keeping distance from others.
The Showboat Drive-In Theater in Hockley, Texas, about a 30-minute drive outside Houston, normally sees ticket sales go down about 40 percent on a weekend when they don’t have any new movies.
But last month they saw a 40 percent increase, according to the theatre’s owner, Andrew Thomas. Usually open on weekends, he has kept screenings going through the week.
He said: ‘Obviously this isn’t the way you’d want it to occur, but I’m excited for the idea that there may be a new generation of people that will get to experience going to a drive-in theatre.’