Arts venues and historic buildings around Northampton to be lit up red for national campaign

Theatres, Delapre Abbey, Roadmender and Lift Tower among sites involved
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Arts venues and historic buildings around Northampton will be lit up red to raise awareness of the challenges facing the entertainment industry tonight (Monday, July 6).

The Royal & Derngate, Looking Glass and The Deco theatres, Delapre Abbey, The Roadmender and the Lift Tower are among the sites to get involved in the #LightItInRed campaign.

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The University of Northampton, Althorp House, Steffans Jewellers and Wollaston BMW will all be turned red from around 9pm.

Royal & Derngate, Delapre Abbey, The Old Savoy and the Lift Tower will be lit up red tonight (Monday, July 6)Royal & Derngate, Delapre Abbey, The Old Savoy and the Lift Tower will be lit up red tonight (Monday, July 6)
Royal & Derngate, Delapre Abbey, The Old Savoy and the Lift Tower will be lit up red tonight (Monday, July 6)

Royal & Derngate artistic director James Dacre said: “Our stages may remain empty and our doors may remain closed but tonight Royal & Derngate will be illuminated in red and dressed in striking tape as a reminder of the joy and spectacle that these venues normally bring to half a million audiences each year.

"In these difficult times, we hope to send an uplifting message of hope for our sector and solidarity with all freelancers, artists, event staff and businesses who work across it."

In addition to the red lighting, the Royal theatre is being covered in pink crime scene tape as part of the #SceneChange campaign to raise awareness of the impact shut venues is having.

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Chief executive Jo Gordon added: "We’re thrilled that cultural buildings and heritage sites across Northamptonshire will join us in in support of the performing arts, music and other live events impacted by closure.

"Together we are #MissingLiveTheatre. Together we are standing by to reopen."

Theatres and music venues remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic while museums, galleries and other attractions were allowed to reopen on Saturday.

The government has announced a £1.57 billion emergency fund to support the culture industry through grants and loans but little detail has been provided so far about how much venues can expect and when.

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Many have called for 'not before dates' for when theatres and music venues can reopen safely to allow them to plan effectively, while frustration grows as other sectors have been allowed to get back to business.

The campaign's website says: "Our goal is to have a conversation with politicians and the government about how the billion-pound events industry can be saved from a massive wave of insolvency and how the preservation of over half a million jobs can be ensured.

"The events industry is a complex industry made up of many different trades and disciplines.

"For this reason, the events industry as a whole has no central lobby. Our action is aimed at the general public to draw attention to the dramatic situation of the event."