The second evidence session of the #TheatreAPPG is at 9am today. Following the recent funding package announcement, this meeting of parliamentarians and #theatre industry representatives will focus on what else needs to happen or happen differently to support the sector recover.

Today's speakers are @julianpbird @Mumba_Jasmine @robertsoftley @BOPTheatre @AmandaHuxtable @eclipsetcl & Julia Potts @ATGTICKETS
The #TheatreAPPG chair is @GilesWatling, @uk_theatre @SOLTnews are the secretariat.
Find out more about the #TheatreAPPG here https://uktheatre.org/theatreappg/ 

The #TheatreAPPG speakers will be focusing on 4 main areas:
- What has the impact of #COVID19 been on the #theatre sector?
- What has worked / what hasn't?
- What is still needed?
- What are the priorities for the sector?

#SupportOurTheatres

. @julianpbird thanks newly elected #TheatreAPPG officers @TracyBrabin and Nickie Aiken MP ( @twocitiesnickie) for all of their support for the theatre industry throughout the #coronavirus pandemic and beyond.

Transparency around decisions is still an issue. How will the £1.57 billion be allocated? Why #theatre is being treated differently to other sectors in guidance is still a source of confusion eg. why can people sit in an aeroplane or car in close quarters but not in live theatre?

The impact of theatre closures on the wider economy is incredibly important too. There is broader economic impact for other businesses nearby theatre venues e.g. impacting income of restaurants, bars, transport etc. as well as those in our industry & our suppliers. #TheatreAPPG

We have a complex workforce, many of whom are #freelancers. We have to get help to the tens of thousands of people who have been given no government support. We need to find a way collectively to help them, says @julianpbird at todaty's #TheatreAPPG evidence session.

A date for stage four of the government's roadmap is essential as that is the only way to get money flowing back into the #theatre ecology.

. @Mumba_Jasmine, #theatre director, cofounder of the #Diversity School Initiative and member of the #Freelance taskforce, will now give evidence to the #TheatreAPPG. 72% of the industry is made up of #freelancers.

1 in 3 freelancers have expressed that they may leave the #theatre industry as a result of the #COVID19 pandemic.
86% of #freelancers identify as Black, Asian or from a minority ethnic group so this is a real threat to the industry's diversity. #TheatreAPPG @Mumba_Jasmine

The communities and intersectionalities affected worst by the COVID-19 pandemic were: early career, d/Deaf and disabled theatre makers, and people of colour.
#freelancers #theatremakers #access #inclusion #TheatreAPPG

An emergency funding pot for early career freelancers and/or those who did not receive support from the government's self employment support scheme is needed, @Mumba_Jasmine tells #TheatreAPPG

. @LukePollard talks of @infobeyondface in #Plymouth and the fact that the current industry crisis threatens to undo the progress made by organisations such as this to support people of colour with careers in the #theatreindustry. #TheatreAPPG

Julia Potts of @ATGTICKETS give evidence to #TheatreAPPG. With a staff cohort of 4,000+ employees, only 200 are currently working. The prolonged nature of this pandemic means ATG are having to make difficult decisions about their staff base and operating model.

For staff, the pandemic has had a "devastating impact on people's #mentalhealth and #wellbeing" says Julia Potts @ATGTICKETS. A date for reopening is vital. #Producers need to be able to provide real & practical support from the government's fund. #TheatreAPPG

"It is paramount for many #regional #theatres that their local authority does now abandon them at this moment" says Julia Potts, Business Director, UK Venues @ATGTICKETS. The Government need to make #localgov support possible. #TheatreAPPG

Robert Softley-Gale, Artistic Director of Birds of Paradise Theatre company will now give his evidence to the #TheatreAPPG @robertsoftley @BOPTheatre

A recent survey of 7000 #disabled #audience members interviewed showed that 26% will not consider going back to venues until a vaccine for coronavirus is available.

Although digital streaming of theatre has increased during the pandemic, 56% disabled people are not internet users so this is not a solution. #TheatreAPPG