The Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham has joined with arts and cultural organisations throughout the country in welcoming the recent Government announcement of a package designed to provide support for a sector in urgent need or relief from the effects of an ongoing shutdown in the wake of social distancing mandates.

The announcement of support follows the work of industry leaders who have been working closely with Government advisors and DCMS and HMT seeking a commitment to ensure that theatres, such as the Everyman, can continue to play a vital role in Gloucestershire’s recovery.

Mark Goucher, Chief Executive of the Everyman Theatre, has stated “This announcement is welcome news for an industry that has been put in real distress by the ongoing closures. We hope to get clarity soon on how we can access this support and use it to continue our vital education and community outreach work and support the over 100 staff that we employ here in Cheltenham. The Everyman is a key cultural, entertainment and economic contributor to Gloucestershire and we want to do everything possible to make sure we remain ready to be part of the town and county’s recovery.”

While the Everyman Theatre has not hosted a live event with an audience in the auditorium since measures to curb the spread of the Coronavirus were announced on March 16, work continues behind the scenes to reschedule events that have been postponed or cancelled, plan future events, and continue community engagement efforts via alternate means. While the details on how to access the newly announced package are not clear the funds will be key to allowing to the theatre to continue offering a vital service in the South West along with other key local organisations such as Cheltenham Festivals and the Cheltenham Trust.

In the absence of clarity on re-opening the auditorium to welcome audiences the Everyman Theatre’s Education and Community Team will still be operating a Musical Theatre Summer School, in August, offering the opportunity for young people to work alongside theatre professionals for a week which will culminate in a production staged, and recorded, behind closed doors.

Additional steps in the return of the Everyman Theatre to full operational capability have seen the Café Bar opening for dine-in and takeaway service and multiple productions, which were originally scheduled during the enforced closure, rescheduled for 2021. The first newly scheduled performances have been Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse on April 27 – 28, 2021 and a new stage adaptation of Dan Brown’s best-selling novel, The Da Vinci Code, on 10 -15 May, 2021.