For the Foreseeable

It has been 140 days since I last worked in a theatre, and still no sign of getting back there in any meaningful way. July was the month that the government announced the £1.57 billion bailout, although nearly a month on there isn’t much information on how exactly it should be distributed. One thing that seems sensible, though, is that the government should continue to support individual workers & freelancers on top of this, allowing much of that to be spent on the infrastructure of the Arts Industry.

This was also the month that outdoor performances could resume, with mixed news in this regard as Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre began preparing for a concert production of Jesus Christ Superstar, whilst Six The Musical’s drive-in extravaganza was unfortunately cancelled as local lockdowns made the prospect of a UK Tour unfeasible. Indoor performances began trials, such as Beverley Knight’s concert at the London Palladium, however these have now stopped as case numbers have begun to rise again. For now, theatres remain closed.

Back in my non-theatre world, highlights included the first haircut of lockdown, my 38th birthday, and finally a return to my flat in London. I also completed a 10km running programme I have been following since March whilst up in the Cheshire countryside, managing to run the distance in 56 mins 40 secs, which I’m quite proud of! I think a combination of that and doing Joe Wicks’ PE class at 9am most mornings have kept me that little bit healthier than a sedentary lockdown would otherwise have been.

Now back in London, largely to move out of the flat I have been in for over six years. This has been planned before Covid-19 swept in, but obviously the pandemic has forced a bit of a change of plan as I move temporarily back to the parents until work starts up again in any meaningful way. The month of August will largely involve throwing a lot of stuff away, packing the rest in boxes and organising changes of address. Outside of that, I’m hoping to have one last socially-distanced beer with London friends and finally complete the Capital Ring walk that I started last year!