Coronavirus: BBC Radio 4 to follow Nottingham Playhouse’s journey to reopening

Nottingham Playhouse’s preparations to reopen for audiences following the Covid-19 pandemic will be covered by BBC Radio 4’s PM programme.

The programme will follow Nottingham Playhouse for the next six months as it attempts to weather the impacts of coronavirus and prepares to open to audiences again.

It closed in March, and there are hopes that the theatre will reopen for the festive season with an adaptation of A Christmas Carol by Mark Gatiss, followed by its annual pantomime.

Nottingham Playhouse chief executive Stephanie Sirr said pantomime “in some form will need to happen”, and confirmed the theatre was investigating socially distanced options.

“Our panto is a major part of Nottingham Playhouse. It’s been running for more than 30 years, it’s massively popular and it’s one of the most diverse audiences we attract so we wouldn’t give that up lightly. And in terms of revenue, it’s our second biggest funder after the arts council as a single contributor,” she said.

Sirr added: “This is a pivotal time for Nottingham Playhouse and for the whole theatre industry both nationally and internationally. We are very pleased that PM has given us the opportunity to highlight the challenges faced by our sector.”

PM reporter Becky Milligan will follow the theatre’s journey towards reopening across the next six months, with updates shared on the programme, which is broadcast Monday to Saturday at 5pm and is presented by Evan Davis.

Davis said: “It’s heartbreaking to know that theatres across the land have had to abandon their programmes and go dark during this pandemic. But it is gratifying to know that they are all using their creative flair not just to produce new plays, but to develop plans to keep drama alive and to reopen as soon as possible. We’re delighted that the Nottingham Playhouse has agreed to let us follow their journey over the rest of the year.”