BC health officials defend live-theatre bans till December 7, suggest movie theatres are not exempt
Upset theatre groups are working to form a task force; art galleries escape full shutdown
Seen at the virtual press conference today, Dr. Bonnie Henry defends keeping restaurants and bars open, but theatres shut.
FAR FROM easing up regulations that closed down live-theatre productions at the end of last week, BC health officials have now clarified that some cinemas fall under the banned list. It was unclear whether that would include regular screenings or special events at movie houses. But film hubs including the Cinematheque immediately announced a shutdown till December 7.
Art galleries are allowed to remain open, but craft fairs are part of the ban until December 7.
In today’s news conference, Health Minister Adrian Dix defended officials’ decision to group performing-arts theatres with community events in the shutdown.
“If we’re going to think about injustice, think about the injustice of the people we lost this weekend,” he said. “We must fill the promise of the orders to help keep us safe.” There were 1,933 new cases of COVID across the province over the weekend.
On November 19, the province released a public health order saying event gatherings for under 50 were banned until December 7. Today, Dix read a list of events that should be closed, including performing-arts theatres and cinemas along with religious services, banquets, strip-club dancing, and fashion shows. But the public health order said restaurants, bars, and other workplaces could stay open under safety protocols.
That prompted an outcry amid Vancouver stage companies, which say they have strict measures in place, they have not seen outbreaks, and they consider themselves a workplace and business like any other.
“We’ve been listed under community event and we’re not seen as a business? Our staff rely on us for employment and the safety of our staff and patrons are paramount to us,” Arts Club theatre executive director Peter Cathie White told Stir on Friday.
The same day, BC Alliance for Arts and Culture sent out a form letter for members to send to the health ministry that said, “This order allows every business already operational under the previous order to remain so with the exception of live theatre.”
Authorities confirmed even outdoor events like Bright Nights at the Stanley Park minitrain are banned until at least December 7.
Today, Henry defended allowing restaurants and bars to remain open: “One thing about restaurants that we know is that they do feed people and are part of many important ways that people can get a meal.” She added “they also have very detailed safety plans” and when those are followed, there’s no transmission.
Donna Spencer, artistic producer at the Firehall Arts Centre, argues local theatres have had protocols that are just as strict—if not stricter.
“My sense is they’re keeping us just as events and not as not-for-profit working entrepreneurs,” she suggests. “It’s time for arts groups to be asking for serious consideration, not only for providing employment and benefits to the economy, but we are providing emotional health as well.”
Forced to shut down the Firehall’s production of The Amaryllis overnight last week, Spencer said the company, already hit hard by the pandemic, had sustained more steep losses. “All the payments have to be made” she said, referring to cast and crew contracts, “so you’re paying for something you’re not allowed to make any money on. You have to refund tickets; in some cases they’ll donate it back, but certainly not all.”
The cost will have a chilling effect on programming theatre into the New Year unless arts groups can work out an agreement with provincial health officials, said Spencer. At press time, she was working with other theatre advocates to form a task force in hopes of meeting with Health Ministry staff later this week. She worried in particular about the ability for companies to stage Christmas shows.
Health officials clarified today that even outdoor Christmas events like the Stanley Park mini-train light exhibit Bright Nights and VanDusen Gardens’ Festival of Lights could not go ahead under the order, at least until December 7.
Spencer says discussions between arts groups and health officials haven’t happened and are necessary, even for the province to be able to reopen once a vaccine starts to become available. “There has to be an opportunity to discuss these issues with public health,” she says. “How do we reopen when we reopen? Will there be large concerts? I think not. So let’s have those discussions now so we know what the roadmap is.”
The producer pointed out the financial and logistical challenges of moving to streaming, which the Firehall has so far not done. (Other companies, such as the Cultch, have made substantial investments to move shows online.)
“Streaming is cost prohibitive; most of us were not created to be organizations that livestream,” she says. “It’s a different art form. And then there’s the cost of equipment.”
For now it seems art galleries, though listed by Dix under events, will be allowed to stay open. “You know how they have an opening when they put up the show? That is an event,” said Henry, clarifying that would be banned. “But the day-to-day exhibit is like a retail shop,” so it would be allowed to have visitors with safety protocols.
Henry, pleading for patience, did leave the door open to changes after December 7 if COVID infection numbers improve. Until then, Dix made it clear things weren't open for discussion: "We can't negotiate with the virus; there's no litigation to be had."
UPDATE: After presstime, the BC government updated its suspension of social gatherings to include "movie viewing in cinemas". All local theatres subsequently cancelled screenings, VIFF's Vancity Theatre posting: "This closure is temporary. We look forward to seeing you all back in the theatre soon, but for now stay healthy and enjoy our virtual screening options on VIFF Connect from the comforts of home". The Cinematheque told Stir "this is a hard time for everyone, and the safety of our patrons, our learners, our staff, our volunteers, and our wider community is our top priority at this time." It, too, is offering streaming alternatives.
A cancellation notice for the Firehall’s production of The Amaryllis.
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