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A theatre boss in Deal has accused the Prime Minster of ‘slithering’ out of responsibility as he advises Britons not to attend public outlets, leaving people’s livelihoods in jeopardy.
The Astor Community Theatre’s artistic director James Tillett, announced the suspension of all performances and classes at the Stanhope Road venue yesterday amidst the coronavirus crisis.
It came the morning after Boris Johnson urged - without clearly ordering - people to avoid theatres, pubs, cinemas and restaurants, leaving businesses unable to claim compensation.
It spells disaster for the Astor, employer of three full-time and three part-staff, which had to cancel two sold out events this weekend and more up until the end of the year.
Now Mr Tillett fears he may not be able to reopen the doors.
He told KentOnline: “It’s a very sad day at the Astor.
“I have taken the decision that to protect our customers and my staff we will be closing the theatre today.
“We do not believe it is practical or responsible to stage shows or hold classes when people’s lives are at risk.
“I express my disgust at the PM’s ‘slithering’ out of responsibility so that his mates in the City aren’t hit with insurance claims for business interruption.
“By ‘advising’ people not to attend the theatre, pubs, cinemas, - rather than making it an order - means that for businesses like the Astor, we have no support whatsoever and no grounds to make a claim.
“Given the precarious nature of most arts organisations, never mind the thousands of other businesses that are affected, we face the very real possibility of shutting our doors for good.”
Mr Tillett says he can afford to pay his staff this month and possibly next month but he relies on a £12,000 monthly income to share between wages, overheads and insurances.
“Our operating income is met by what we get from the bar and from advance ticket sales,” he said.
“It’s not just us who will be suffering. It’s the performers and the bands. There are so many people out of work with no safety net whatsoever.
"t’s a complete and utter disaster, not helped by the waffle of him at Number 10.
“We would like to think that the CEO of the Arts Council and bigger organisations that represent the theatres will start piling on the pressure to make it an order.
“As it stands, I don’t know how people will survive.”
The Astor was reopened in its present form in January 2010 after extensive refurbishment.
An event to mark this year’s anniversary - Celebrating 10 Years of the Astor - was planned for Saturday, April 18.
Mr Tillett had bookings up until December including weddings with the next one scheduled for the end of April followed by one in mid May - which he thinks will now have to be postponed.
From today, people will be unable to make bookings via the website but are instead encouraged to give a donation.
Mr Tillett has asked customers to “bear with” him as the team begin to contact ticket holders who will be entitled to an exchange or refund.
In a statement, he said: “But, before you ask for a refund consider your ticket price a donation towards the survival of the Astor as your local community theatre.
“We are determined to survive, to retain our dedicated team and to get our show back on track as soon as possible so we need your help urgently.”
