COVID and the creative industry: could it be curtain call?
With lockdown still in full swing and COVID-19’s grasp remaining firm on the UK, it’s safe to say that no one is going out any time soon to enjoy nightlife and entertainment that London has to offer.
This has had a detrimental effect on the creative industry, causing many companies to go under and even more to have to adapt to the new environment they were facing, stepping into new territory and taking risks.
To put it simply, the creative/entertainment industry is an essential piece in our economy, contributing just over £70bn a year. With the current guidelines prohibiting social gatherings and events, it is virtually impossible for the entertainment sector to exist. One of the hardest hit sectors in the industry is the theatres and cinemas, with live performances being cancelled and postponed left and right.
Photo by Ben Hershey on Unsplash
One example of just how devastating the effect of COVID-19 has been on the West End is the indefinite closure of Phantom of The Opera, which has been playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre for nearly 34 years. To see an iconic show such as this have to close due to the pandemic just shows how much danger the entertainment industry is in.
Not only has COVID-19 become a huge problem for current creatives, but it has presented many barriers for students and those who wish to enter the industry any time soon. I spoke with students from Middlesex University, who are taking part in the performing arts course, who had this to say about their current situation:
“It’s definitely made it difficult in terms of securing a job after university. Since there’s no theatres open at the moment, there’s no shows going ahead, which means there’s no work for actors like us. We’re definitely going to have to look for alternatives if things don’t look up soon.”
Meanwhile, students who are trying to build a portfolio in a time where they cannot perform in person, are finding new ways to reach an audience:
“One of my final assessments includes a comedy set, which I was originally planning to perform in front of a live audience. Obviously with the current situation that couldn’t go ahead, so instead we resorted to carrying out our final assessments over Zoom and, suprisingly, it went very well! People were able to watch from the comfort and safety of their own homes, and I didn’t need to worry about being late to my own set!”
Not only are students finding new ways to reach their audiences, but established businesses in the entertainment industry are also dipping their toes into the online world. One example of companies capitalising on the COVID situation includes Curzon, a chain of cinemas who specialise in art house films, creating the streaming service Curzon Home Cinema, where people could enjoy the movies usually offered by Curzon in the comfort of their own homes.
Unfortunately, not all businesses have fared well during lockdown. Back in October it was announced that cinema giant Cineworld could possible have to close its doors due to the intense loss in sales it suffered over the summer and the delay in major motion pictures such as No Time To Die, the latest installment in the iconic James Bond series.
With harsh guidelines still in place, and no indication of when they will be lifted, the future of the entertainment sector remains uncertain. Companies and creatives alike will be kept in the dark for some time, and it seems like branching out into the online world could be their only chance at salvation from a final curtain call.
Featured image by Jonatan Moerman on Unsplash