Coronavirus: Dance Umbrella cancels October festival for first time in 42-year history

Dance Umbrella has announced the cancellation of its October 2020 festival for the first time in the event’s 42 year history due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The contemporary dance and performance event usually takes place annually in London.

Artistic director and chief executive Emma Gladstone said: “We have taken the decision to cancel the 2020 Dance Umbrella.

"It is clear we cannot deliver the festival for audiences, artists, venue partners or funders at the level or scale originally imagined due to the current situation concerning Covid-19."

Gladstone added: "By making this decision now, we are able to offer some cancellation fees and honour all our commissions, which make up 50% of the planned programme for this year.

"This is to try, in some small way, to support those creators who are going through such testing times."

The cancellation includes all performances, talks, workshops, parties, visiting artists programmes and other events that were scheduled to take place as part of the festival from October 9 to 25.

Details are to be announced for future and digital events.