Let the shows go on

Geelong theatre groups and venues have welcomed changes allowing 75 per cent capacity crowds, with some calling for a further easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

“It’s fantastic,” said Rob MacLeod, who has managed Drysdale’s Potato Shed for 19 years.

“Hopefully in the next few weeks we’ll get back to 100 per cent.

“Twelve months ago we weren’t confident people would be willing to come back and watch theatre.

“But we’ve had eight shows this week and five sold out, so it shows people want that live theatre experience.

“The confidence is back to program lots of shows again but, of course, it can change at the drop of a hat.”

The changes would make a huge difference for groups like Theatre 3Triple2 and Bellarine Jongleurs, recovering after the most devastating period Mr MacLeod had seen in 40 years in performing arts, he said.

Theatre of the Damned co-owner Tony Dahl was thrilled with the changes, in time his company’s upcoming Geelong production of Ladies in Black.

An extra 35 audience members at each of seven shows under the changes would equate to about $9000 in extra revenue, he said.

The money would go toward new shows, local services such as sign-making, and hiring Shenton Theatre for rehearsals, which in turn would support venue owner Geelong High School’s upcoming productions, Mr Dahl said.

He urged state government to allow 100 per cent capacity crowds at theatres, given 24,000 fans will be able to watch the Cats’ next game at GMHBA Stadium under today’s changes.

“I don’t understand why they can’t have [theatre audiences at full capacity] so long as they’re wearing masks, have sanitised their hands and checked in,” he said.

But Skin of Our Teeth Productions artistic director Christine Davey took a more cautious approach for her group’s Victorian tour of My Brilliant Career beginning in August.

“We’re going to keep it at 50 per cent,” she said.

“You don’t know what’s going to happen next week.

“We had 38 cases in Sydney [on Wednesday]. One of those cases gets to Victoria, and off we go again.”

Local musician and promoter Rach Brennan said the changes would make a huge difference for independent artists putting “so much time, money and effort” into local gigs.