Broadway World (04/23/20)

In an interview with Variety, National Theatre Director Rufus Norris discussed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the overall theater community, and cautioned that "the one thing that you just can't afford to do at the moment is rest on optimism." He projected that the theater industry will take longer to bounce back than other entertainment businesses because it requires large audience gatherings. Norris also acknowledged that mass closures are already having a serious effect, with some organizations having shut down or gone bankrupt. "All of us, to one degree or another, have got a ticking clock underneath us," he said. "Those ticket sales are just irreplaceable." Regarding National's move to stream past productions online for free, Norris expressed hope that such content will provide some entertainment during the crisis. "If can we can give people some relief or some balm for their stresses, some entertainment distraction, that's great," he said.

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