How Coronavirus Has Affected The Arts

As we all know, theatre was one of the first things to be banned due to Covid-19 in the UK, along with clubs and bars, putting an end to musical productions, plays and concerts.

Soon after that, due to the fast paced change brought on by the pandemic, I had cancelled my room at university accommodation and moved back to my family home, where I have been practising social distancing.

Me and my mum watched as our calendars, previously filled with theatre trips and concerts, began to clear and waited for any indication from TicketMaster that the shows would be rescheduled (luckily many have been).

Almost immediately after lockdown began, I saw that musicians were doing concerts over live-streams via Instagram and posts on Facebook. Facebook became home to Gary Barlow's 'Crooner Sessions', in which he and a special guest combine individually filmed clips to create an original duet of famous songs. I have also seen a particularly good collaboration, created through a similar production process, posted by Danny Jones of Mcfly. With some members of the band as well as special guests including Olly Murs and James Arthur, he performed the Mcfly song 'Shine a Light'.

Instagram also saw some great musical performances over live-streams, particularly in the 'Together at Home' Movement started by Chris Martin of Coldplay, in association with charities Global Citizen and World Health Organisation.

I have also been able to watch some plays through YouTube, particularly productions by the National Theatre, including such pieces as Jane Eyre, Frankenstein and various Shakespeare plays, which show subtle advertisements across the screen for arts organisations accepting donations.

Andrew Lloyd Webber has also been streaming his musicals for free online in a new series for West End and Broadway fans entitled "The Shows Must Go On"