Tag Archives: lockdown

How are Britain’s cathedral choirs preparing for a Covid Christmas?

For many, the official sound of Christmas is a cathedral choir in full voice, leading us in traditional music and favourite carols. But it’s been a tough year for choristers, with lockdowns and tier restrictions hampering their work. Three leading … Continue reading

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The West End is slowly reviving – the Government must not kill it with Tier 3

This past week has seen a miraculous rebirth: West End theatres opening their doors, and delighted audiences returning in (safely distanced) droves. Christmas entertainment is saved! Read my full Telegraph article here

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Grayson Perry’s uplifting lockdown art exhibition cancelled – thanks to lockdown

The new, more restrictive tier system has created a high-stakes national lottery for arts venues. Land in tier 3, and your luck is out: no galleries or museums are allowed to open at all. Read my full Telegraph article here

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‘Online gigs aren’t the same’: one comedian’s journey from stage to supermarket tills

“My first day working in the supermarket,” the comedian Lauren Pattison remembers, “was a year ago to the day that I’d been doing stand-up at Sydney Opera House.” Read my full Telegraph interview here

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‘To call arts freelancers “lazy” is dangerous’: the comedian packing Amazon boxes

It was meant to be a busy 2020 for comedian Will Duggan. “I was the tour support for Sofie Hagen, so I had all those gigs booked in, seven months of work, plus I was getting ready for the Edinburgh Festival. … Continue reading

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‘There’s not much funny about delivering for a supermarket’: the comic taken off stage by lockdown

“The whole year was timed out,” recalls comedian Steve Shanyaski of March 2020. “I was supporting John Bishop on tour, I had gigs lined up. Then lockdown happened and my whole diary turned white. I’ve never experienced anything like it … Continue reading

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British comedians in lockdown: ‘They’re in Amazon warehouses and Sainsbury’s vans’

Few stand-up comedians are laughing these days, with Covid-19 decimating their industry. So raise a glass to Kiri Pritchard-McLean, who has been providing much-needed gigs for her fellow comics, and raising thousands for charity, via her online “pub”, The Covid … Continue reading

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Operation Sleeping Beauty meets reality: what hope is there for theatre this Christmas?

Theatre is due to return – again – in December, after a stop-start year of openings and closures. Now, numerous shows depend on the government ending the second lockdown on December 2, as announced, in order to bring us some Christmas cheer. … Continue reading

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Death of England: Delroy, National Theatre

Wednesday’s press performance was both opening and closing night at the National – their first show back curtailed by lockdown. Deeply frustrating, since Roy Williams and Clint Dyer’s blistering new state-of-the-nation monologue is clearly the play for the moment. Read my full … Continue reading

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Lazuli Sky, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Sadler’s Wells

“Finally, we’re back where we belong!” exclaims Carlos Acosta, introducing his belated premiere commission as director of Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB), and the first socially distanced production at Sadler’s Wells. What a way to mark World Ballet Day. Read my full The … Continue reading

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