From 4.00pm today, the Queensland Government will be implementing a lockdown order given a recent surge of Delta-variant COVID-19 cases in the state, including at multiple schools. This, of course, means that performances at virtually all performing arts in South-East Queensland will be shuttered from today until at least Tuesday – pending an announcement that this “Hard, Fast Lockdown” will be over by then.
A number of venues scheduled to have have performances over the weekend have already issued statements, essentially boiling down to the key points of “We are closed over this period” and “You will be contacted about rescheduling or refunds as soon as possible”. Some examples are included below:
Like you, we’ve just heard the news that 11 Qld LGAs are now in lockdown from 4pm today until 4pm Tuesday 3 August. Unfortunately, this means we’ll need to cancel all performances at QPAC (including our matinee performances today) until Tuesday 4pm. pic.twitter.com/x1ETTIbp3K
— QPAC (@QPAC) July 31, 2021
**VENUE UPDATE** Due to the latest announcement from QLD Health, HOTA is closed. This includes HOTA Gallery, Cinemas,…
Posted by Home of the Arts on Friday, July 30, 2021
Just a quick reminder, not that I feel that any of my readers would do this, but if impacted please be polite and understanding to the box office staff member who contacts you. This is completely out of their control, and they are working within the limitations set by the venue and producers.
This is also a good reminder that if you have tickets to a performance and are feeling even the slightest bit unwell, contact the venue about a refund or reschedule rather than attending.
Also… if for whatever reasons you equate the Check In QLD App as the equivalent of Nazi Germany or refuse to wear a mask because of a personal belief… like a couple I witnessed at last weekend’s opening night of West Side Story at QPAC, know that you will likely get foul looks from patrons and not permitted to enter the venue. When you have 2,000 people in a theatre, even a few people not following the rules can put everyone at risk – and cause the show to quite literally not go on.
