A microsite, theatresupport.info, has been created by the Society of West End Theatres and UK Theatre as a place to collate information and signpost useful resources relating to the shutdown due to the coronavirus.
The site went live today (Wednesday 18 March) and will continue to be updated with resources and advice, including information on welfare support for people in the theatre industry and details of various 24 hour helplines that are available.
The charities involved include Acting for Others, Actors’ Benevolent Fund (ABF), Actors’ Children’s Trust (ACT), The Actors’ Church, Dance Professionals Fund, Equity Charitable Trust, Funds for Freelancers, Grand Order of Water Rats, Help Musicians, Make A Difference Trust (MAD), Royal Opera House Benevolent Fund, Royal Theatrical Fund, Stage One New Producers, Theatre Chaplaincy UK, Until the Curtain Rises and UK Theatre.
In a joint statement, they said, "SOLT and UK Theatre continue to lobby government for additional financial support for theatre and its workforce—which other European governments have provided—to enable the sector to get through this crisis.
"In these challenging times, the theatre industry is committed to providing vital financial, mental health and wellbeing support for those facing career uncertainty and ensuring funding is distributed as widely as possible, reaching those most in need."