Alnwick Playhouse reopening plans on hold until better news on pandemic

The venue, which has had a £3.3million refurbishment, has now been closed for nearly a year since the pandemic began.

Manager Jo Potts, writing in its latest newsletter, says: ‘It has not been a great start to 2021. However we have no choice other than to stay positive and keep looking forward towards the rest of the year when this pandemic will finally be behind us.

‘In the coming months we shall hold off our reopening plans until further notice. Reopening is still planned to happen in stages and start firstly with the ground floor only with our hospitality partners McKennas in operation.

‘We are continuing to move shows from original dates which are now rescheduled.’

However, one success story has been its online festive show, Christmas with the Hobs, run in conjunction with other Northumberland venues.

“A total of 3,205 people watched Christmas with the Hobs at home, in schools and in hospitals and care homes,’ revealed Jo.

‘Alnwick Playhouse was host to 908 of these viewers, 182 of which engaged with the accompanying activity pack. While the majority of audiences were in North East England, the show attracted an international audience with bookings from Canada, California, Prague and Barcelona, as well as from further afield in the UK.

‘Tickets were free with a suggested donation and the Playhouse raised £653 which shall be invested into future commissions and creative projects in Northumberland, employing freelance performers, practitioners, technicians and artists. Creative professionals have really struggled while venues have been closed, and many people have been unable to access government financial support.’

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