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A local theatre has lit up its building red in solidarity with arts venues around the country struggling amid the Covid-19 crisis.
The Orchard Theatre in Dartford has been closed since the start of lockdown when all performances were shelved.
Across the county shops, cinemas and now pubs have been slowly returning to action as they attempt to embrace what has been dubbed "the new normal".
But theatres and art spaces and those who work within them have largely been left in the dark until now.
And while the government's announcement of a £1.57bn rescue package on Monday has been welcomed by many, hundreds of venues have come together to drum up further support using the hashtags #LightItInRed and #SaveTheArts.
The campaign aims to shine a light on the devastating impact Covid-19 has had on the UK’s events industry and push for greater clarity on when they can reopen.
Will West, technical manager at the Orchard Theatre, lit up the Dartford venue last night in solidarity with his colleagues around the UK.
He said: "Tonight I have lit The Orchard Theatre in red to highlight the dire situation that my industry and my fellow industry professionals are facing.
"Since early March, the events industry has been mostly without work.
"All kinds of major events are currently prohibited due to the Covid-19 crisis. Corporate events, conferences, concerts, festivals, weddings, trade shows and theatrical performances are no longer able to go ahead.
"This is leaving an entire industry dormant, with over 25,000 businesses and over half a million workers throughout the UK directly suffering the ill effects.
"Cautiously I applaud the recently announced £1.57 billion support package and eagerly await the finer details coming out this week.
"I pray it supports more than just the bricks and mortar of an industry but supports all those in need."
"I pray it supports more than just the bricks and mortar of an industry but supports all those in need."
The easing of the two metre rule has given hope to theatres and music venues which operate in more confined spaces that they may soon return.
Later this week the government is expected to set out further detail on its timeline for the events and art industry to reopen.
But Will fears it may be some time still before they can "open the house" for another performance.
He added he was concerned not only by the continued financial impact on the theatre's many performers, technicians, staff and other freelancers but also the impact on the "next generation".
"It also saddens me knowing that the next generation of performers, technicians, directors, designers and choreographers who will have just graduated after investing many years of their life to the arts are now stepping out into the unknown," he said.
"Theatre and the arts are all I’ve known my entire working life and I miss it dearly.
"Having worked with a multitude of touring productions ranging from comedy, concerts, plays and musicals I have had the opportunity to work with some of the best that the industry has to offer.
"I look forward to one day welcoming them back once again with a smile."
Despite the challenges facing the industry those venues due to host pantomime season are optimistic it could be on the cards with rehearsals possibly starting in late October or early November.
Qdos Pantomimes produces the productions for both the Orchard Theatre in Dartford and the Churchill Theatre, Bromley.
At Dartford this year veteran star Christopher Biggins is due to lead the cast of Jack and the Beanstalk, while at the Churchill Theatre the show will be Sleeping Beauty.
A spokesman for Qdos said: "We’re eagerly awaiting further information from the government to enable theatres to plan to reopen safely, allowing us all to live happily ever after, without having to resort to the use of magic beans.
“Qdos Pantomimes are currently keeping plans under review, considering it too early to make further decisions about Christmas while plans to reopen theatres are yet to be worked through.”
