PLANS to reopen Belfast's Grand Opera House in November have been scuppered by delays brought about by the Covid lockdown.
Work had begun in January on a £12.2 million heritage lottery fund-backed restoration of the theatre, which was due be completed in time for the 125th anniversary of the venue in December.
But its owners the Grand Opera House Trust confirmed yesterday that this timetable is no longer achievable, with social distancing of staff at contractors Tracey Brothers (Enniskillen) meaning it will be impossible to catch up on the eight weeks of work between late March into May.
It also means the scheduled pantomime Goldilocks and the Three Bears won't now go ahead, along with a number of other major productions including Mamma Mia! and the Scottish Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker.
“Postponing the pantomime and other popular shows is hugely disappointing and presents a significant blow to the theatre’s finances at an already challenging time,” Opera House chief executive Ian Wilson admitted.
“But fortunately we have been able to reschedule the shows into 2021 and 2022 rather than lose them altogether.”
Of the venue's 100-strong staff, 57 remain on unpaid leave following the agreement made at the time the temporary closure was announced last year, while 25 of the 37 retained staff are currently on furlough.
At this stage it is hoped the theatre can reopen in March 2021 with a revised performance programme, subject to the government’s guidance at that time.
The pantomime instead will move to the corresponding dates in November 2021; Mamma Mia! has been moved to November 2022, and The Nutcracker has been rescheduled to February 2022.
Customers who have booked tickets for these and other shows will be contacted by the box office and offered the opportunity to move their booking or receive a full refund.
Mr Wilson added: “While there are still many uncertainties, we believe we are being prudent in our planning for the future to not only survive this hugely difficult period but to ensure that we emerge strongly from it.
“After months of detailed financial management and scenario planning we, like other colleagues across the arts sector, have had to make some assumptions, particularly that by spring 2021, we will not have the same constraints that come with current social distancing guidelines.
“Not surprisingly, we are very keen to open as soon as possible to maximise the investment made in the restoration of this unique and beautiful theatre, and our simple message to customers, and those we engage with through our creative learning initiatives, is that we will do so as soon as it is both safe and viable to do so.”
