CULTURE
Thanks to the government giving the green light to some theatres partially reopening - for now - we talk to our local culture hubs to find out how they are ensuring that their shows will still go on…
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ver the past month or so many of our treasured theatres have revealed how they are now able to reopen safely after being locked down in March. At the time of going to press, the likes of the Assembly Hall, Trinity and EM Forster theatres are still able to forge ahead welcoming back visitors – albeit on a smaller scale. Each one is adopting all the necessary safety and social distancing measures needed so they can once again start hosting performances, concerts and screenings for all the family. SO magazine discovers how each one has been able to reopen and finds out what’s coming up over the next few months . . .
TRINITY THEATRE Elizabeth Mahoney, Marketing & Communications Director says: “COVID has taken its toll on Tunbridge Wells’ Cultural community, but somehow at Trinity with only a small band of non-furloughed staff and a handful of volunteers, we managed to keep artistic and social events going this summer - in our stunning kitchen and bar gardens. 24 | October 2020 | SO Magazine
We do have a deeper connection to the community, one that reaches far beyond that of the traditional local theatre and the support in attendance has been reassuring. We are, like others, locked into the capacity battle, with only 71-100 seats available for each event for our recently released ‘Autumn Season’, we hope for ‘SOLD OUT’ signs across our programme! We are ahead of the government in our Covid care and social distancing protocols - we really have created a ‘safe haven’ for our community. We have curated a brilliant autumn line-up, with cinema and event cinema leading the pack for serious cinephiles and family film fanatics alike. The new list of events includes movie classics, such as Withnail & I and the visually rich, wonderfully romantic French favourite Amélie, perfect for a prosecco night out with friends. October half-term has never looked more fun with Spooky Saturday promising to tick the family fun box. Our creativity doesn’t stop there; the evening promises to deliver for Halloween households that are that little bit older with a night geared towards musical mayhem that encourages some fancy dress — The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be shown
“We have a deeper connection to the community, one that reaches far beyond that of the traditional local theatre” Elizabeth Mahoney – Trinity Theatre –
