You need three things in the theatre — the play, the actors and the audience, and each must give something.
The words of Kenneth Haigh – one of the original Angry Young Men –have endured down through the decades.
But now, our theatres sit with their lights dimmed, and the news that Fife’s main venues have postponed their entire 2020 programmes is incredibly sad.It could be Spring 2021 before the Adam Smith, Rothes Halls, Carnegie Hall or Lochgelly Centre again ring to applause and laughter.
We cannot afford to lose such vibrant, creative hubs whose role extends far beyond the stage.
The challenge now facing Fife Cultural Trust – to keep going when its audiences have been dispersed for the forseeable future – is enormous.
It has moved much of its work online at lightning speed, underlining how skilled, versatile and adaptable our the creative industries care – but live shows, be they music, theatre, comedy, lecture, or panto rely on the buzz of a full house, and the noise (and revenue) of the audience.
Creating a venue which adheres to social distancing while maintaining the atmosphere that is an integral part of a live show is a huge issue; one every theatre and live venue is now grappling with. One that also impacts on every amateur dramatic group, band, promoter and performer.
There is no doubt they all need clear guidance from the Scottish and UK Governments. That has yet to come.
Emerging with a very different business model after lockdown will take time, and there has to be a safety net in place in the interim, otherwise we run the very real risk of losing some precious community assets which have served this town for generations.
Spring 2021 feels like a lifetime away. Our theatres need every support possible to ensure they can light up the stage once more.
While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspapers; the Fife Free Press, Fife Herald, St Andrews Citizen, East Fife Mail and Glenrothes Gazette.
Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty.
The support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with your community during this time. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.
Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes - from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this, and your continued support of our newspapers across Fife will help to protect their viability in the days and weeks ahead.
For more details on our subscription offers please visit email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4033004
Thank you
Allan Crow, Editor, Fife Free Press