The government has been described as “out of touch” for its chosen examples of what people can enjoy after it said performing arts events can take place outdoors from this weekend.
People have taken to social media to ridicule the culture secretary after he said “music lovers” could go to Glyndebourne, an opera house in East Sussex, this summer and people could watch plays at a theatre on the Cornish cliffs as venues open up again following disruption from coronavirus.
“The masses are delighted to hear that Glyndebourne is back on,” one social media user joked.
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“This government is so out of touch,” someone else tweeted.
Announcing open-air performances can resume from this Saturday, Oliver Dowden singled out Glyndebourne — whose tickets for open-air opera in August have sold at £100 for adults and £50 for children — and plays at Cornwall’s open-air Minack Theatre.
The London’s West End will also return through the Six, The Musical Drive-In, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) said.
Speaking about Mr Dowden’s mention of Glyndebourne, comedian Rachel Creeger tweeted: “What a relief for the bulk of the country to whom that’s a regular feature on the calendar. Now HOW ABOUT COMEDY?”
Another social media user shone a light on the fact they could go to open-air opera, but not watch their local football team. “Really in tune with man in the street,” they joked.
Open-air performances have been given the go-ahead from this Saturday in England with a limited and socially-distanced audience.
“Normal life is slowly returning. This is an important milestone for our performing artists who have been waiting patiently in the wing since March,” Mr Dowden said in a press briefing.
“From 11 July, our theatres, operas, dance and music shows can start putting on outdoor performances to socially-distanced audiences.”
He added: “That means theatre goers can experience a live play for the first time in and at places like the stunning Minack Theatre in Cornwall and musiclovers can attend Glyndebourne this summer.”
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DCMS said the government would also be piloting some indoor performances, which could involve the London Symphony Orchestra at St Luke’s and Butlins.
The department have been approached for comment by The Independent.
