Alnwick Playhouse now looking towards phased reopening in early 2021

Playhouse manager Jo Potts, in a newsletter update, also reveals how the venue is playing its part in the town’s Christmas display even though its doors remain closed.

“This year has been a challenging year for everyone,” she writes. “We are all living and working in difficult times with Covid-19 impacting on every aspect of our lives.

"The arts have been affected by the global pandemic since March 2020 with very few venues able to open since the spring. The situation in Northumberland mirrors this global pattern.

"It was hoped that the Playhouse could have opened for Christmas however with the second national lockdown and Northumberland being placed in Tier 3, it has not been possible.

"Our aspiration now is to return with a phased re-opening in the new year when it is safe for us to do so.”

The Playhouse was recently successful in its application for emergency funding from Arts Council England.

"So although the doors shall remain closed, we have been investing in new ways of working towards a Christmas digital offer for our audiences to enjoy,” said Jo.

The restored Playhouse building is being illuminated every evening from 4.30pm to 6.30pm over Christmas.

“We are also bringing some of our downstairs windows to life for the first time, using back projection and sound to create a festive scene which includes Santy working busily in his grotto,” said Jo. “We would like to thank Alnwick Gardens for their support in kind for location access to filming.”

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