The measures announced by the National Security Council on Thursday disappointed and angered actors in the performing arts. According to the Théâtre des Martyrs and Forest National, the current regulations, which extend the meeting limits to 200 people indoors and 400 people outdoors, are “absurd“.
From September 1, gatherings of 200 people will be allowed at indoor events, while shows, sporting events, religious events or outdoor events can accommodate 400 people.
Sector meeting this Friday
The Federation of Performing Arts Employers (FEAS) will meet on Friday morning to act on the decision and position themselves, but some players in the sector have already said they are disappointed and angry.
“My colleagues and I feel tremendous disappointment and extraordinarily strong anger at not having been heard, when we had made extremely concrete proposals.“said the artistic director general of the Théâtre des Martyrs, Philippe Sireuil.”The return to the measures taken in June is only a very, very small satisfaction, given that a difference still exists today between the measures imposed in public transport and in theaters.“, he laments.
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Measures difficult to apply
Forest National’s communications manager, Coralie Berael, is also annoyed: “The increase in capacity in theaters does not concern us. Allowing 200 people indoors, for us, it is useless. It would be time to think about figures in proportion to the capacity of each room“, she explains. And to add that the sector also needs to be able to envisage the events in the long term.”We depend on international tours, on artists who plan their tour 6 months or a year in advance, so moving slowly is impossible for us.“
An opinion shared by the co-director of Théâtre Le Public, Michel Kacenelenbogen: “The theater cannot be made like that overnight“, he recalls. He also awaits more details on the measures to be applied.”We are waiting to see if a distancing will be imposed in addition to the wearing of the mask. We are missing this information. If we go back to the measures before July 27 and social distancing is not mandatory, then most of the season can be achieved. On the other hand, if it is necessary to space out the spectators, only part of the season will remain.“
As for the Théâtre des Martyrs, the decision was taken to support the artists and ensure that the shows can exist. “But we don’t know yet if we’re going to be able to present them in front of spectators, as if we have to apply both the mask and the social distancing it will result in extremely empty rooms.“, indicates Philippe Sireuil.”This is absurd and, economically, it is obviously a pit.“
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