Beyond Theatre Creative Producer, Paul Levin has confirmed the immediate cancellation of the Manchester leg of The DriveINSIDE Theatre – a socially distanced drive-in series scheduled to take place at the Trafford Centre with a proposed capacity of 800, with the potential to grow to 5,600 as social distance restrictions are relaxed. Undercover, but with a part open surround, the model was thought to be COVID-19 secure even in areas which require Level 3 C19 compliance.
However, in a recent open letter, Levin stated the following [sic]:
“It is with huge sadness and regret that we have to announce the cancellation of the entire Manchester run of The DriveINSIDE Theatre.
“We had to reschedule shows last week because the authorities classed us as a theatre, even though we are a tented venue with free-flowing fresh air and socially distanced seating for the audience. We had been assured we would be able to operate at up to Level 3 restrictions but at the 11th hour they changed their minds.
“Now, we have had to cancel this week’s shows because the Trafford Centre has been unable to provide the necessary information from their side for us to construct the venue with the necessary immediate effect.
“Over this last critical week, we’ve been fobbed off, told people were in meetings or not on site and generally messed around. Their team has shown no urgency to resolve matters and clearly has given no consideration to the performers and audience members who were desperate to get back to live theatre after more than a year of the pandemic.
“Beyond Theatre is a producer of immersive musicals. When the premiere of our new show WhiteWitch in Birmingham had to be cancelled last March, we started thinking of ways we could run our show, and others, in a Covid-safe way. That was why we developed The DriveINSIDE Theatre. We’ve invested heavily to create a venue that could offer live performances safely during all, but the most severe, levels of restrictions and we’ve worked tirelessly with locations and local councils to ensure we comply with all the necessary social distancing and other Covid requirements.
“Despite all our work and all the assurances we have been given, the uncertainty of when, or indeed if, the Trafford Centre staff will be able provide the requested documentation that would enable us to finalise the long awaited contract and start construction of the venue, means we have no option but to cancel the entire run.
“I know this will be a massive disappointment to all of the shows, performers and people who were looking forward to enjoying live theatre again and I send them all my most sincere apologies. We will be refunding all the ticket sales as quickly as possible, and we thank people for their patience and understanding while we work our way through everyone.
“Our plans for the DriveINSIDE Theatre to arrive in London in August are unaffected.”
