Covid 19
16/11/20 14:47 Filed in: HfCHall for Cornwall
One of the by-products of the coronavirus lockdown has been how performance has reached new audiences worldwide as artists and institutions stream content to people starved of live performances. Here at the Hall, we’ve been doing our bit, signposting visitors to our website to a weekly round-up of armchair entertainment from around the world and closer to home, including Life in Lockdown blogs from our HFC Youth members.
We’ve hosted Unlocked, a new online dance programme for our young dancers and their creative endeavours. We supported our many freelancers and artists with weekly online drop-ins and bespoke 1-2-1- funding advice and guidance to help navigate this difficult time. Recently, we were able to start our youth theatre and dance groups in person again, and who would have thought that the social distancing ‘boxes’ we have marked out in tape on the floor could inspire so much creativity?
Undoubtedly, we miss live performances and the energy of being part of something together. It’s that shared experience which makes live theatre so magical. And it’s our passion to bring that experience to more people in Cornwall is driving our transformation of the Hall For Cornwall.
Since we last reported on our redevelopment, much has been achieved. Those fortunate to visit the construction works have found themselves breath-taken and quite visibly moved by the sight of our auditorium coming together. The performance space and its associated offices, creative hub workspaces, bars, and cafés are all taking shape. We’ve had a delivery of the first few seats to be fitted into the auditorium and are making final selections on other fixtures and fittings.
Despite being closed through the pandemic, we’ve not been immune to its effects. The impact of the lockdown meant we lost a month of building work. Since reopening the site, our contractor has been operating at a reduced capacity to comply with social distancing measures.
That has impacted both our timetable and our costs, and with the continued uncertainties around the pandemic, we are constantly reviewing the best time to reopen next year. Spring 2021 has been our hope, but with the recent talk of other potential lockdowns and the impact on lead times required by the quality shows we want to stage, we cannot commit to that with certainty. Therefore, like many, we must keep our options open, and I will keep you informed.
What we are sure of, however, is that we will be ready to raise the curtain whenever that time comes. Despite a long period of closure than ever envisaged, we have kept our small but talented and committed team together. We have continued to deliver our youth outreach work and the support we give to our associate artists and the wider creative sector.
We already have the makings of an exhilarating programme from across the theatrical spectrum for when we do reopen. We’re working closely with touring shows, musicians, comedians and other eagerly anticipated visitors to our stage who can’t wait to be on the road again and are excited to appear in our new auditorium in front of a passionate and loyal community, who every day tell us that they miss us. This reminds our whole team of why we set out on this project and how the end goal will enrich the lives of our community on the other side of the current difficulties.
At the same time, the support of our funders and donors has been vital in enabling us to meet some of the increased costs of the project. At the national government level, we have secured support from the Getting Building Fund, and we enjoyed a recent mention in the House of Commons by our local MP advocating for ‘our fantastic theatre on the brink of completion, serving the whole of Cornwall and acting as a beacon for the arts for the whole county’. We are also grateful for continued support at the local authority level from Cornwall Council and, of course, to our cherished philanthropic and Trust & Foundation advocates. But we are nothing without you, our community, and I thank you for all your kindness and ongoing messages of support. Responses to our Name A Seat campaign have been incredible, and I am humbled and overwhelmed by all of your dedication coming in from across Cornwall.
It’s been a tough year, but as I reflect on our reopening next year, I look forward to our vital role in Cornwall’s post-pandemic economic recovery, helping bring jobs, footfall and vitality back to Truro city centre. I hope to lift the hearts of everyone from across Cornwall along the way. We look forward to the day when we can open our doors to one and all again.
Take care, stay safe and see you very soon.
Undoubtedly, we miss live performances and the energy of being part of something together. It’s that shared experience which makes live theatre so magical. And it’s our passion to bring that experience to more people in Cornwall is driving our transformation of the Hall For Cornwall.
Since we last reported on our redevelopment, much has been achieved. Those fortunate to visit the construction works have found themselves breath-taken and quite visibly moved by the sight of our auditorium coming together. The performance space and its associated offices, creative hub workspaces, bars, and cafés are all taking shape. We’ve had a delivery of the first few seats to be fitted into the auditorium and are making final selections on other fixtures and fittings.
Despite being closed through the pandemic, we’ve not been immune to its effects. The impact of the lockdown meant we lost a month of building work. Since reopening the site, our contractor has been operating at a reduced capacity to comply with social distancing measures.
That has impacted both our timetable and our costs, and with the continued uncertainties around the pandemic, we are constantly reviewing the best time to reopen next year. Spring 2021 has been our hope, but with the recent talk of other potential lockdowns and the impact on lead times required by the quality shows we want to stage, we cannot commit to that with certainty. Therefore, like many, we must keep our options open, and I will keep you informed.
What we are sure of, however, is that we will be ready to raise the curtain whenever that time comes. Despite a long period of closure than ever envisaged, we have kept our small but talented and committed team together. We have continued to deliver our youth outreach work and the support we give to our associate artists and the wider creative sector.
We already have the makings of an exhilarating programme from across the theatrical spectrum for when we do reopen. We’re working closely with touring shows, musicians, comedians and other eagerly anticipated visitors to our stage who can’t wait to be on the road again and are excited to appear in our new auditorium in front of a passionate and loyal community, who every day tell us that they miss us. This reminds our whole team of why we set out on this project and how the end goal will enrich the lives of our community on the other side of the current difficulties.
At the same time, the support of our funders and donors has been vital in enabling us to meet some of the increased costs of the project. At the national government level, we have secured support from the Getting Building Fund, and we enjoyed a recent mention in the House of Commons by our local MP advocating for ‘our fantastic theatre on the brink of completion, serving the whole of Cornwall and acting as a beacon for the arts for the whole county’. We are also grateful for continued support at the local authority level from Cornwall Council and, of course, to our cherished philanthropic and Trust & Foundation advocates. But we are nothing without you, our community, and I thank you for all your kindness and ongoing messages of support. Responses to our Name A Seat campaign have been incredible, and I am humbled and overwhelmed by all of your dedication coming in from across Cornwall.
It’s been a tough year, but as I reflect on our reopening next year, I look forward to our vital role in Cornwall’s post-pandemic economic recovery, helping bring jobs, footfall and vitality back to Truro city centre. I hope to lift the hearts of everyone from across Cornwall along the way. We look forward to the day when we can open our doors to one and all again.
Take care, stay safe and see you very soon.