The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has cancelled its theatre productions until 2021 due to coronavirus.

The production company in Stratford-upon-Avon said social distancing measures meant it would not be able to stage indoor performances.

It also announced redundancies for staff and a consultation period with employees.

Outdoor events will continue, the RSC said, adding it will develop its online offering for autumn and winter months.

“We had hoped that things would have become more positive by now,” artistic director Gregory Doran and executive director Catherine Mallyon said in a joint statement.

“We very much hope that the government review of social distancing measures in November will bring positive news for the industry and provide a timeline for when we can welcome our audiences back into our theatres again.”

• Latest news and updates from the West Midlands
• How is lockdown hitting Shakespeare’s birthplace?

Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, attracts up to six million visitors annually and the town’s tourism industry has been hit hard during lockdown.

In April, the Centre for Progressive Policy think tank said it expected Stratford-upon-Avon to take one of the biggest economic hits in the UK.

Since lockdown started, the district council has handed out more than £32m in grants to small and medium sized businesses.

The RSC, which has 750 employees, closed its theatres on 17 March and has not been able to reopen since.

It said it was having to consider redundancies “to safeguard the long-term future of the company”.

• A SIMPLE GUIDE: How do I protect myself?
• AVOIDING CONTACT: The rules on self-isolation and exercise
• HOPE AND LOSS: Your coronavirus stories
• LOOK-UP TOOL: Check cases in your area
• STRESS: How to look after your mental health

Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: [email protected]

• Theatre
• Coronavirus pandemic
• Social distancing
• Stratford-upon-Avon
• Royal Shakespeare Company

Source: Read Full Article