Alone Together Series 2 Episode 4: Can the show go on for theatres and comedy?
The spotlight is on the arts industry after they were forced to switch their spotlights off
Happy Friday?
It does not seem quite appropriate to wish you all a happy Friday with the latest raft of coronavirus headlines adding more doom and gloom to an already dark situation.
As I - Dan McLaughlin - type this newsletter from Salford, one of the Greater Manchester areas experiencing a sharp increase in infection rates, it has been announced that tougher measures will be imposed on Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull. And in the same week, the government announced further restrictions in England, banning meetings of more than six people, indoors and outdoors, from Monday.
Is it right to wish you a happy Friday? Despite a clearly concerning situation, I am reminded why we started the Alone Together podcast in the first place: in our darkest days, there has always been some light.
And that light is shone by the amazing local heroes who have been doing their bit to keep their communities going. From the teachers in Salford who have been described as “angels” for providing food parcels to struggling families to the #BrumTogether campaign – a coalition of 70 voluntary, community and faith groups – who have been working together to provide essential supplies and support for those most in need in the city, we have paid tribute to these extraordinary people.
The coronavirus pandemic is incredibly serious, but we have seen the best of people at the worst of times.
Can the show go on for theatre and comedy?
In July, when announcing the £1.57 billion rescue package, prime minister Boris Johnson called the arts the 'beating heart of the country'. On this episode of Alone Together, we ask those working in the industry what needs to be done by the government to keep this beating heart ticking.
I spoke to Gayle Knight, creative director at Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre and Theatre in Oswaldtwistle in East Lancashire, and comedian Jack Gleadow about the challenges faced by the arts and entertainment industry. I admired both of their candour and passion for the theatre and comedy, and they are fascinating interviews that I would highly recommend a listen to.
I have to confess I had a vested interest in speaking to both Gayle and Jack - and Gayle, in particular. When pitching this episode to my Laudable Podcast colleagues, I wanted to stress the importance of protecting our grassroots theatres, for I am a product of it.
Dan McLaughlin (left) in a production of ‘The Wind in the Willows’ at Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre and Theatre in 2009
Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre and Theatre - or simply, The Civic - was my hometown theatre. Over my childhood and teenage years, I had trod the boards as an amateur actor, penned and directed productions to be performed on the stage, operated the lighting and sound desk, and even served the drinks at the theatre bar. I can safely say that without the Civic, I would not be the person who I am now - and doing the job that I adore.
I was never going to be the next Olivier or Sondheim, but I am not alone in gaining invaluable experience, memories, and confidence from grassroots theatre.
Theatres, arts centres, comedy clubs, music venues, and other places of entertainment had to shut their doors in March – and for many, they have remained shut; and for some, they may sadly never open again.
We must protect our grassroots theatre. Gayle Knight and Jack Gleadow have a few suggestions on how to help the struggling arts and entertainment industry. Give it a listen, and see how you can support your local theatres and entertainment venues.
The North in Numbers: Football Finance
Football is back this weekend, but it is lacking the 12th man with fans still being kept out of stadiums under the coronavirus restrictions.
Even though it has only been a short summer for football clubs, following the delay in the season, I eagerly await the return of the beautiful game. Yes, even as a Blackburn Rovers fan. Some would call that masochism or a football equivalent of the Stockholm Syndrome; I call it loyalty, however misguided it may be.
With football back on our screens, and behind closed doors in the stadiums, I would like to draw your attention to an episode of The North in Numbers - a great podcast by the Reach Data Unit’s Annie Gouk.
The North in Numbers looks at the human stories behind the statistics, whether that’s the rise in homelessness in Manchester, the rise in knife crime in Merseyside, the impact of council cuts across the region, and more.
Guest presenter and sports data journalist David Dubas-Fisher focuses on the financial gulf between the Premier League and the Championship in English football. He speaks to academics, experts and local sports journalists about how the football industry is changing, the financial imbalances it creates, and how historic clubs can survive.
As always, thank you for reading our newsletter and listening to our podcasts. These can be troubling times, and we hope that our podcasts can be a welcome distraction. Alone Together was, after all, named one of the top soothing podcasts to bring calm during self-isolation by the Independent.
Stay safe, stay positive, stay informed, and stay tuned.
- Dan McLaughlin