{"id":51698,"date":"2022-12-16T11:11:34","date_gmt":"2022-12-16T11:11:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/thevoiceoflondon\/?p=51698"},"modified":"2022-12-16T11:12:10","modified_gmt":"2022-12-16T11:12:10","slug":"how-independent-theatres-are-dealing-with-the-dramatic-cost-of-living-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/thevoiceoflondon\/how-independent-theatres-are-dealing-with-the-dramatic-cost-of-living-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"How independent theatres are dealing with the dramatic cost-of-living crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Kiefer Jones talks with <\/strong>John Plews<\/strong><\/em>, Artistic Director of Upstairs<\/em> at the Gatehouse<\/em> and board member for the Society of Independent Theatres <\/em>to discuss the affects of the cost-of-living crisis.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, I get a little annoyed when I\u2019m asked that question, because it\u2019s not just pub theatres its affecting is it? It\u2019s hitting everyone.\u201d This was the first response I received from John Plews, Artistic Director of Upstairs at the Gatehouse Theatre in Highgate, and board member of the Society of Independent theatres, when asked about how the cost-of-living crisis is affecting pub theatres in London. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the average of 50 pubs closing every month<\/a> due to rising operating costs, John agrees its not just pub theatres that are at risk: \u201cIt\u2019s the whole hospitality industry. I\u2019ve seen how things are going for the Gatehouse pub downstairs. This is supposed to be the busiest time of year but the bookings are not coming in as they used to.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The effects of the Covid Pandemic are still being felt. Changes in the nation’s drinking habits and the rising costs of just about everyone has caused people to be mindful as to where their money is spent. \u201cIt\u2019s rare you get to say the government did something right,\u201d John chuckled down the phone, \u201cBut they did, the relief funds they offered to theatres and the arts really did help us through.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that\u2019s of little help when the desire to go out and spend money is lacking, and as John puts it, with a sigh: \u201cIt\u2019s far easier and cheaper to get some takeaway and watch Netflix at home than head outside.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEverything in terms of operating costs has had to been cut down,\u201d John explains, trying to answer the question as to what can be done to lessen the impact, \u201cUsually I have a cast of 12 for my end of year Christmas shows, this year its six. My choreographer is pulling their hair out, trying to make something as big with half the cast.\u201d Independent theatres’ biggest competitor is the West End but battling that behemoth alongside cost of living is equally as difficult. \u201cWell, the West End is always going to be able to hit us hard. They offer tickets from anywhere between \u00a350-\u00a3200, or more, so it’s easy for them to drop ticket prices by \u00a320, \u00a330 and still make a profit. But if you\u2019re working on an independent show, and tickets are set at \u00a320, it\u2019s because that\u2019s the bare minimum needed to try and make the money back from producing the show. You have no chance of knocking \u00a320 off whatsoever.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

John doesn\u2019t believe that independent theatres are being singled out by the cost-of-living crisis, he believes there’s a much more prominent threat ahead; \u201cThe train strikes are going to hit us hard. People use independent theatre to have a more affordable option when wanting to go to London, and see live theatre. But with all these strikes, people cant get too and from. They might not be able to get home for Christmas.\u201d These strikes threaten not just independent theaters and business in London, but nationwide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

John told me of a conversation he had with someone who runs their theatre in Newcastle: \u201cThey rely a lot on customers coming from just over the Scottish border, but with impending train strikes, they\u2019ve seen a significant drop in sales this year too. People are too worried about traveling to make plans.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a month of impending strikes, in which more appear to be announced per day, it\u2019s hard to see happy days ahead not only for the independent theatre trade, but with the hospitality industry as a whole as people aim to spend more time at home, and less money. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upstairs at the Gatehouse is located in Highgate Village with a new show for the festive season, Summer in the City. <\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Writing: Kiefer Jones | Subbing: Shakira Bruce-Abubakar<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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