THEATRES have been closed since lockdown in March and actors and audience members alike are eager to get back and save the industry from further economic damage. 

Britain is now moving into stage three of the government's easing of coronavirus measures – but it remains unclear when shows will return to the stage.

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When will theatres reopen?

Theatres are included in step three of the Boris Johnson and the government's plan to reopen Britain – which officially gets underway today.

The venues are designated as "higher-risk businesses" due to the threat of transmission of the virus in enclosed spaces.

However, the industry has so far not announced plans to reopen – unlike other leisure facilities such as cinemas.

Show bosses have said the industry is targeting plans to begin reopening theatres in the autumn.

Difficulties involved with preparing productions – such as being unable to rehearse – could mean some do not return until 2021.

Some shows and live music has been taking place behind closed doors, such as the BBC broadcasting classical concerts from Wigmore Hall.

The Government is reportedly due to be meeting with culture and health experts to try and develop a roadmap to allow more live performances to take place.

On June 17, Culture secretary Oliver Dowden said: "I know they face enormous challenges, particularly given the impact of social distancing on live venues."

He said officials are "looking hard" at how to solve issues and are working "extensively and intensively" to bring back performances.

Mr Dowden said: "An important part of this is to get performances back up and again."

Musicals legend Andrew Lloyd Webber has said he is going to conduct tests at one of his venues to show they can reopen safely.

The 72-year-old composer has already been able to reopen a production of The Phantom of the Opera in South Korea.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4, he said: "I really believe that we in theatre must be positive.

"What I hope to do is to be able to demonstrate to the government what has happened in Korea."

He wants to test out measures at the London Palladium in early July to try and get shows back in Britain.

How will social distancing work?

Questions have been asked about how theatres will be able to reopen if strict social distancing measures are in place.

Andrew Lloyd Webber described it as "impossible in the theatre" as he considers how to reopen his venues.

However, it is hoped that the government may slash the two-metre social distance rule in half.

Many businesses leaders have said this will allow the hospitality and leisure industries to reopen more effectively.

In an opinion piece which appeared in The Stage, it was suggested that theatre-goers will need to be separated by two metres, while actors would be required to perform from opposite ends of the stage.

Intervals could also be extended to 45 minutes as it would take so long to get to the bar.

Sir Andrew is suggesting a raft of measures that allowed his Phantom of the Opera production to reopen in South Korea to be introduced in the UK.

Hygienic door handles, thermal imaging cameras and disinfectant fog are all various counter-virus options.

He said the theatre community must "use everything we can to demonstrate we can open. If having done that we fail, at least we've tried".

Sir Andrew added: "The whole point is to try and make people feel as safe and secure as they possibly can."

How has coronavirus affected the theatre industry?

Many fear if the theatre industry will be able to survive without support from the government amid concerns shows won't be able to return until 2021.

In an open letter, the Society of London Theatre, UK Theatre and nearly 100 actors, writers, directors and leading creatives figures called for government support from chancellor Rishi Sunak and culture secretary Oliver Dowden.

The UK's performing arts sector is believed to be facing an annual loss of £74billion and potentially 400,000 job losses in 2020.

In the letter, it was warned: "Theatre is one of the UK’s most dazzling success stories. In all its forms, whether drama, musical theatre, opera or dance, British theatre is a world class cultural and economic force with productions filling venues from Broadway to Beijing.

"The pandemic has brought theatre to its knees. Theatres do not have the money to operate viably with physical distancing. It is difficult to see venues opening before the end of the year."

In early May, theatre producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh said the lockdown measures mean West End theatres are unlikely to reopen until 2021.

Mr Mackintosh, who is one of the most successful musical producers ever with shows including Cats and Les Misérables, told Michael Ball on BBC Radio 2: “The truth is until social distancing doesn’t exist any more, we can’t even plan to reopen."

Playwright James Graham was even less hopeful.

He says the theatre won't survive without an “aggressive government bailout”.

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