Despite the tier system and a new vaccine on the horizon, cultural events are shrouded in uncertainty

News of the Oxford vaccination breakthrough was met with jubilation by festival organisers. If the immunisation programme is successful, it could pave the way for a full summer of festivals next year. Glastonbury’s Emily Eavis posted a “dreamy sunrise” on Instagram, adding: “And great news on the vaccine too! Hope for us all.”

And lockdown is lifting next week: cinemas, theatres, concert halls, live outdoor events, galleries and museums will reopen in England, but it all depends on where you live.

Boris Johnson announced the new restrictions for his Covid-19 winter plan under the new three-tier system. Within tier 1 and tier 2 areas, venues can open with social distancing and limited audiences, while those within tier 3 (regions with the highest rate of infection) will remain closed.

This has been met with mixed reactions. The UK Cinema Association criticised the government’s decision to shut cinemas in tier 3 areas, describing it as “heartbreaking”. But, while there is certainly hope in the air, the truth is we still don’t know what’s what.

As a culture writer, it’s very up and down. One minute a film is coming out, the next it’s postponed. Do we pitch for an interview with an actor in a big West End production that may never happen? Theatres don’t even know how long they will stay open before rising Covid-19 infections hamper their best-laid plans. When I called London’s White Cube Gallery to ask if the Tracey Emin show would open next week, I was told they are still trying to work it out. Adding events to our culture calendar is hard – everything comes with a big question mark.

We’ve been told that life should start to feel normal by Easter. But what about in the meantime? It’s all very positive that an end is in sight. But with so much unpredictability, it’s impossible to plan.

For now, though, I’m going ahead to book tickets for The Tiger Who Came to Tea at Theatre Royal Haymarket for my children. It’s not until July 2021 – but by then I’m hoping the curtains will be fully drawn.

Yours,

Charlotte Cripps

Culture writer