CUMBRIA arts bodies have not yet announced new drama or live performance plans, after a Government announcement that will allow more entertainment venues to reopen to the public next month.

On Friday, Number 10 announced that audiences would be able to return to indoor theatres, music and performance venues from Saturday, August 1.

Performance and entertainment centres will be allowed to host drama productions again, so long as they observe the following guidelines: reducing venue capacity; moving ticket sales online; signalling physical distance rules and schedule changes clearly; and performers must socially distance.

However, arts bodies across the county have so far held back from publishing plans for new shows, as drama and other entertainment venues approach the new provisions and accompanying guidelines with caution.

Following Friday's announcement, a spokesperson for the Theatre by the Lake said: “TBTL welcomes the news that indoor performances can resume with socially distanced audiences from 1 August.

“Unfortunately however, with the restrictions of social distancing in place, many venues, including TBTL find that it will not be practical or economically viable for shows to open.

"It is prudent for TBTL to cautiously plan for our reopening when social distancing regulations are no longer in place and audiences are happy to return to the theatre in numbers.

“TBTL will continue to investigate every avenue to ensure that they can maximise income where possible, whilst managing their costs and they’ll be reviewing their plans continuously over the coming months.”

On the same day, a spokesperson for the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal, which is due to reopen in September, said: “Today the Government announced that indoor performances can take place from 1 August. This is a welcome step as it means that we can now begin planning for our live events programme to restart.

“We are in discussion with artists, partners, promotors and agents about a range of events and will be announcing them soon.”

The Coronation Hall was also approached for comment.