BAZ BAMIGBOYE: The venerable Vic fights for its independence
The Old Vic, one of London’s landmark theatres, has rebuffed an attempt to take it over.
The 202-year-old institution relies on deep-pocketed supporters and ticket sales to survive.
Overheads are substantial and, even before the pandemic, the Vic often struggled to make ends meet.
The building does not receive a government subsidy — though management is studying the Chancellor’s £1.57 billion package for the arts to see how it will work out for them in practice.
The Ambassador Theatre Group approached Matthew Warchus, the Old Vic’s artistic chief, and his executives several weeks ago, offering to take over the theatre’s liabilities — injecting millions into the property — while leaving Vic staff to control artistic policy.
The Old Vic, one of London’s landmark theatres, has rebuffed an attempt to take it over. A few seasons back, Glenda Jackson (above) played to capacity audiences in the title role of King Lear
The 202-year-old institution relies on deep-pocketed supporters and ticket sales to survive. Daniel Radcliffe was appearing there in Samuel Beckett’s Endgame when lockdown forced the theatre to close
The offer was ‘declined immediately and definitively’, The Old Vic said in a statement released to me yesterday.
They are working with supporters to ‘ensure a strong, independent and exciting future for our artistic powerhouse’.
As with all theatres, though, it’s facing ‘significant challenges’ because of Covid-19.
The venerable Vic is a byword for quality, so it has, over the years, been able to attract big name acting talent.
The building does not receive a government subsidy — though management is studying the Chancellor’s £1.57 billion package for the arts to see how it will work out for them in practice
The venerable Vic is a byword for quality, so it has, over the years, been able to attract big name acting talent. (Paterson Joseph as Scrooge in a production of A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic)
Daniel Radcliffe was appearing there in Samuel Beckett’s Endgame when lockdown forced the theatre to close.
A few seasons back, Glenda Jackson played to capacity audiences in the title role of King Lear.
There was no comment from representatives of ATG.
Curtains up by November?
Fingers crossed, but there’s a sense that theatres might be allowed to reopen by November with no social distancing — but with the wearing of masks in auditoriums mandatory.
Industry insiders believe the go-ahead won’t be given until September, which is perilous for pantomimes.
Christmas shows need to know Government timelines by the first week of August, at the latest, in order to prepare.
Fingers crossed, but there’s a sense that theatres might be allowed to reopen by November with no social distancing — but with the wearing of masks in auditoriums mandatory. Mamma Mia! is among the shows that wants to be back on the boards by year’s end or early 2021
Other smaller-cast shows such as Six and The Woman In Black could return around then, too
The Mousetrap will return to London on October 23, with social distancing enforced on stage, backstage and in all other areas of the playhouse.
Other smaller-cast shows such as Six and The Woman In Black could return around then, too.
Pretty Woman with its £10 million advance, Mamma Mia! and The Lion King want to be back on the boards by year’s end or early 2021.