'We're having to imagine the unimaginable' - Theatre boss pleads for more help after lockdown

Watch a video report by ITV News Anglia's Charlie Frost

The boss of Northampton's main theatre has made an impassioned plea for more help to help the industry to recover from lockdown.

Jo Gordon, who's Chief Executive of the Royal and Derngate, posted a series of tweets saying: "I'm exhausted from having to argue for our brilliant sector.

She added: "We're a resilient bunch but a lot of us are having to imagine the unimaginable and need action now."

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Ms Gordon said theatres were "tired from having to financially model on sand" and "worn out from doing our best to look after our teams".

Last month the theatre was forced to launch an emergency appeal for funds to get through pandemic. And they are not alone.

An ITV News survey, distributed through the Independent Theatre Council and the Music Venue Trust, reveals how hard hit the industry is - with 97.5% of venues and companies surveyed saying they were facing permanent closure due to the pandemic.