THE Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, is closing until “further instruction that it is safe to re-open”, as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement issued late last night, chair of trustees Dan Shrimpton said: “Today (March 16), the Government announced that unnecessary social contact should be avoided, including visits to social venues such as theatres.
“The safety of our community is paramount, and in light of this announcement, it is with a heavy heart that we will be closing the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, until we receive further instruction that it is safe to reopen.
“Needless to say, this is desperately disappointing for the producing companies, our audiences, volunteers, indeed everyone who forms part of the Joseph Rowntree Theatre’s community.”
The statement on behalf of the Haxby Road theatre continued: “We will be issuing further advice in the coming days on how we are going to manage ticket refunds and exchanges. We appreciate that you will have questions about bookings and refunds; however, we would ask that you please bear with us and wait for us to contact you.
“Thank you in advance for your support. We appreciate that this is a very worrying time for everyone in our community.”
Among the upcoming shows in the diary at York’s community theatre are: York St John University MPS’s Guys And Dolls, March 19 to 21; The Bev Jones Music Company’s Guys And Dolls, March 25 to 28; Flying Ducks Youth Theatre’s Crush: The Musical, April 2 to 4; Jessa Liversidge’s Songbirds, April 5, and Rowntree Players’ premiere of Ian Donaghy’s The Missing Peace, April 17 and 18.