What the tier system means for your Christmas trip to the theatre

Theatre is back - or is it? Fuelling existential uncertainty akin to a Beckett play, Boris Johnson has announced a more draconian tier system post-lockdown - but without specific details of how it will apply to entertainment venues, or which tiers they will land in.

The latter, at least, should be clarified on Thursday, when we learn the tier fate of each region. Theatre owners and producers will be praying for tier 1, hoping for tier 2, dreading tier 3.

But all of the tiers will have a serious impact, points out Eleanor Lloyd, producer and incoming president of the Society of London Theatre (SOLT). “This is another unhappy day for the theatre industry, which, after eight months of restrictions, is already in a precarious position.

“Clearly, closure under tier 3 will be devastating for those shows that were planning to open after December 3. But even the capacity constraints under tiers 1 and 2 will have a significant impact on those shows and their audiences.”

Lloyd is particularly disappointed about the government’s decision, “given the great work that has happened between the sector and government, to reopen with social distancing and extensive safety measures.” Indeed, SOLT and UK Theatre have said that there were no cases of Covid reported to the NHS Test and Trace app from their member venues since reopening earlier this year.

Crucially, the logistical details of this plan - and how theatres are meant to manage it - weren’t offered with the initial announcement this week. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has promised updated advice before December 2. But producers making plans for next month's openings need that information now - and there are plenty of questions left unanswered.

Can audience members travel from a higher tier to see a show in a lower tier?

In a word: no. The DCMS advises avoiding travel unless necessary for work, education, medical attention or caring responsibilities. So that means that if you’ve booked for a show, say, in London, which is expected to land in tier 2, but your area winds up in tier 3, you can't travel between them.

In that case, it will be up to theatres to help ticket-holders move tickets to another show date or arrange refunds, in line with their policies. But there’s no word from DCMS on how theatres are meant to check or enforce that rule. Presumably, it will be up to customers to raise the issue voluntarily.

Can you book seats with someone outside of your household or support bubble?

Again, no. The DCMS says theatres should communicate that rule clearly to ticket-buyers - which most already do - and that the police can enforce the rules with fines if necessary.

But how are theatres meant to ascertain that information? Is the onus on box office staff to ask for evidence that everyone in a group lives together? For example, if you’re booking for the musical SIX via Nimax Theatres, there is a cap of six in the booking and that advice on legally defined bubbles is clearly outlined on their website. However, there is still an element of trust involved here.

Why is there a capacity cap for theatres in the new tiers system, and why are venues automatically closed in tier 3?

A major change from the pre-lockdown tiers system is that there are now capacity caps in tiers 1 and 2, set at 50 per cent capacity or 1,000 people, whichever is lower. That won't be an issue for many venues, which already have their capacities drastically reduced by social distancing, but it will impact on some - like the Les Misérables staged concert, which has been selling 750 tickets per show in a 1,074-seater venue.

The DCMS had no clear answer for why this decision was taken - or, indeed, why tier 3 now means that all venues must close - when there haven’t been any reported transmission risks in theatres.

The department repeated the Prime Minister’s view that tiers need to be made tougher, particularly in areas where virus is most prevalent. But why should theatres be subject to special restrictions when other businesses are allowed to operate uninterrupted?

Does the capacity cap apply to theatre staff?

One thing the DCMS is definitive on is that the new cap does not apply to performers, backstage crew and theatre staff, like front-of-house teams and ushers. The capacity cap only applies to the socially distanced audience members.

What happens if a production is forced to close because of a tier change?

The DCMS didn’t have an answer for this, but it’s a major concern for the industry. It will be hugely costly if productions open in a lower tier, and then are made to close if that area's tier status changes - not to mention all the performers and staff who will suddenly be out of work. Will the government bear that in mind and possibly offer financial compensation?

Basically, no. The DCMS just pointed to the existing cultural recovery fund.

Can the government assist the industry with insurance?

Theatres producers have been crying out for government assistance with insurance. Otherwise, investors will be unwilling to shell out if there's a danger of a show being cancelled at a moment's notice - causing a huge financial loss.

The DCMS acknowledged those concerns, and says it's working with the theatre sector to understand the challenges. But many will feel that the time for simply understanding is well past. They need action now.

Once again, it feels as though theatre is being unfairly singled out here - and in ways that could cause an already beleaguered industry considerable pain.