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Starting next week a series of live performances will be tested in a big boost for the arts and culture sector.
The Irish Chamber Orchestra will present a special Christmas celebration at the National Concert Hall (NCH) in Dublin on Saturday 19 December.
Arts Minister Catherine Martin launched the new calendar of events at the NCH.
“These events are an important step in demonstrating that these are controlled spaces that can operate safely at this time,” said Ms. Martin.
The NCH said that strict Covid-19 controls will be implemented for artists. “There will be an audience with a limited capacity of 100 people and we will ask attendees for their comments to assist in planning future concerts,” said Maura McGrath, President of NCH.
Theaters are currently closed on Level 3. However, starting next week, Dublin’s Abbey Theater will host a limited number of performances over Christmas.
‘Theater for One’ will open for a limited period from December 18 to December 31.
Six five-minute plays will be performed by prominent Irish playwrights, including Marina Carr, Stacey Gregg, Emmet Kirwan, Louise Lowe, Mark O’Rowe and Enda Walsh.
” This pilot [project] gives a message of hope looking forward to 2021 for theater artists and the wider theater community in Ireland, “Neil Murray, co-director of the Abbey Theater, told RTÉ News.
Theater for One (and a Little One) for an adult and a child aged ten and under will also be held at the Abbey on December 29, 30 and 31.
The highlight will be newly commissioned work by Roddy Doyle, Sonya Kelly, Louis Lovett and Pauline McLynn.
“Our team has fully adapted their work practices and has tailored plans in place to ensure the safety of our artists and audiences on each individual project,” said Murray.
Since the restrictions were lifted earlier this month, museums, galleries and cinemas have reopened in a controlled manner.
Today’s announcement is a sign of hope as we chart the path to a broader reopening of venues next year. https://t.co/ctnpKXCyxi pic.twitter.com/TfH5TNI255
– Catherine Martin TD (@cathmartingreen) December 13, 2020
The Working Group for the Recovery of Arts and Culture has recommended that the treatment of cultural activities and places under the Living With Covid-19 plan be reviewed.
He has argued that many cultural centers, venues, galleries, and cinemas offer large areas with wide circulation, controlled auditoriums, and spaces capable of accommodating large numbers of people in accordance with public health guidelines.
Theaters and live venues hope that the next step will eventually be to allow other arts and culture organizers to open responsibly.
“These events will help demonstrate the industry’s ability to take creative and responsible approaches to the challenges posed by the pandemic,” according to Catherine Martin.
In the October budget, € 50 million of financing was made available for the commercial entertainment industry.
There are 35,000 people employed in the sector and many have been without permanent employment since March.
Maureen Kennelly, Director of the Arts Council, has welcomed the initiative.
“This trial period should help ensure a much wider availability of live performances early in the new year. This would be very well received by audiences and artists alike.”
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