Backstage workers stepped into the limelight at Perth Concert Hall to demand extra support for Scotland’s beleaguered events industry.
Protesters staged a demonstration outside the city centre venue to highlight problems facing the under-threat sector and show support for operators Horsecross Arts, which is in the process of making more than 100 staff redundant.
The protest, under the #WeMakeEvents banner, came as Horsecross officially pulled the plug on this year’s pantomime.
The planned show, Cinderella, has now been delayed to winter 2021. It will be replaced this year with a “promenade” event, which will involve small groups of audiences being led on a Christmas adventure through Perth Theatre.
Fife-based freelance sound engineer and rigger Jonnie Justice led the demonstration at the concert hall plaza.
Mr Justice previously worked for Bridge of Earn-based events firm Catalyst, which was last month forced to lose 19 staff.
“There are companies like Catalyst and Horsecross that have had to let people go because they just can’t put on any events that would be financially viable,” he said. “And at the moment, there appears to be no further support from the government.
“If there was a sector-specific extension to furlough or the self-employment income support scheme, that would help to some extent.
“But then the industry relies on a lot of one-man businesses. The sort of firms that have a warehouse full of kit – PA, staging, lighting, that kind of thing – but there is no market for them at the moment.”
Mr Justice said: “The fact is there are a lot of small companies who have been excluded from funding grants so far, and there is a raft of freelancers like myself who don’t have any other income.
“I’ve worked in events for 24 years now, and now I am applying for jobs driving vans. I don’t have a degree, so there’s a lot of work and better paid jobs I just can’t get into.
“Sadly, I don’t think there’s a one-size fits all solution.”
Nick Williams, chief executive of Horsecross Arts said: “Many thousands of people across the arts and events industries are suffering because of the devastating impact of Covid-19.
“With venues closed in every town and city throughout the UK, the knock-on effect to individuals and organisations whose livelihoods rely on live events is enormous.”
He said: “We fully support the message and intentions of WeMakeEvents and are happy for them to use our venues as a backdrop.
“Here at Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre we stand in solidarity with everyone affected by this, both close to home and across the country.”
Poignantly, this year’s panto will be replaced by a Christmas adventure called “Oh Yes We Are! A Quest for Long Lost Light and Laughter”.
Well-known pantomime dame Barrie Hunter will lead audiences in their social bubbles on a series of scenes through the theatre. The show will be broadcast online.
Those who have bought pantomime tickets can hold on to them for 2021.
The Scottish Government recently announced the Events Industry Support Fund to help the sector.
“Given their significant borrowing powers which the Scottish Government doesn’t have, we continue to urge the UK Government for additional funding,” a spokesman said.
