While the stage remains dark, the Rochdale Theatre’s outside is set to be brightly lit this Wednesday, April 15 in a show of solidarity with other entertainment businesses forced to close in the Covid-19 crisis. 

In lighting up, the Lismore Theatre Company joins other arts facilities around the nation, like the Brisbane Powerhouse, for Light Unite Australia.

It’s heralded as a mark of respect to all fighting the pandemic and draws attention to the plight of the entertainment business and the loss of income for a whole industry.

LTC technician Luke Kane said “it's a great way to bring a little colour to keep our spirits up during this period as almost everybody in the entertainment industry is currently unemployed”.

Light Unite is an Australian Lighting Industry Association initiative to raise awareness of the impacts of the global pandemic on the entertainment and arts industries. 

“Traditionally theatres are not dark for long, so having every theatre in Australia shut down is unprecedented,” Luke said.

“All theatres, whether professional or community based are feeling the financial and emotional effects.”

LTC president Sharon Brodie said “it is difficult for creative, community minded people to just stay home, but in the end our committee was proactive in postponing our scheduled shows to protect our audiences”. 

“I believe that our community has appreciated what we have done and will be eager to support the theatre when we reopen,” she said.

“Meanwhile, we can light up our exterior from 7-9pm on 15 April to remind the community and the government that we are still here.”

Educating Rita was to open on March 20 for three weekends and the pantomime Puss in Thongs was scheduled for six performances in late April. 

The Company’s Artistic Director and Educating Rita’s Producer Kylie Fuad said “although it has been a huge setback for our 50th year at the Rochdale, we will celebrate with Educating Rita as the first show of our 2020 season, whenever it starts”. 

“Our volunteers are a resilient bunch and will be back stronger than ever and we will be keen to welcome more people to be part of our theatre,” she said.

While in this forced period of closure, the company is posting photos of past shows on its Facebook page and providing links to the many free on-line productions streaming from theatre companies around the world.

Keep an eye on the skies over Goonellabah from 7-9pm on Wednesday, April 15 and LTC social media pages to see what’s happening.

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