'Without support, we won't survive': National Theatre boss warns of dire consequences of lockdown

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With performances cancelled and no one sure when the show will go on what does the future hold for London's Theatreland?

Faced with empty seats and huge financial uncertainty some of the capital's famous theatres are on the brink of collapse.

National Theatre boss Rufus Norris said things were "getting pretty desperate" and feared if there was no support most theatres would close.

Currently the National Theatre is surviving with the government's furlough scheme but it needs an extension to survive.

The financial worry is shared across the West End including Nica Burns who owns six West End venues.

And even when lockdown restrictions are eased the outlook in Theatreland remains bleak because the numbers simply don't add up.

South Korea may help give the West End some idea of how theatres can reopen. A audience wearing face masks has its hands sanitised and temperatures are checked as they come in.

"We are ready to put any measures in place, but we just can't put the distance [between people]," Nica Burns added.

The School of Rock closed its doors as the lockdown was brought in. This week the cast released a song to raise money for carers. Some of the performers spoke about the West End's own problems.

Credit: School of Rock

"For many people their jobs were taken away. There are thousands of people who work behind the scenes," said actor Audrey Newman.

The government said as soon as it was safe everyone would be encouraged to experience the UK's cultural offerings.

But without firm guarantees the stage is set for a final curtain for many theatres.