Enjoy live entertainment from your living room with these virtual escapes

As pubs, clubs and restaurants hung up ‘closed’ signs, hundreds of theatres, gig venues and art colleges also turned off the lights, not knowing when or if they would return.

But with technological capability came lightbulb ideas that meant musicians, artists, actors and even national parks could deliver events to audiences.

‘The moment we were closed down we were very determined arts and culture wouldn’t be forgotten during lockdown,’ says executive director of Chichester Festival Theatre, Kathy Bourne.

The nationally-renowned theatre at Oaklands Park has had to cancel or postpone four out of 10 shows in its summer season. However, it has ensured the show goes on by uploading one of their most popular shows, Flowers For Mrs Harris, to its website for everyone to watch.

‘We have had people as far away as Australia and Korea watching it,’ she says. ‘We work first and foremost for our local community, but it’s great seeing it reach other areas too.’

To post the archived production online, the theatre had to ask every cast member for their permission. Kathy explains: ‘It was a unanimous “yes”. They were great in supporting us.

‘We don’t make any money from it but we’ve had a really positive response. Archive recordings have never been available to the public but we’re thinking about how other shows might work.’

Another theatre which isn’t being left behind in the internet age is Havant’s The Spring. Director Sophie Fullerlove says: ‘It was tough telling our volunteers and staff about having to close. You don’t go into this business to cancel shows.’

This small but mighty venue is working on a week-by-week basis regarding cancelling or postponing shows. This way, Sophie explains, they can return to the stage quicker and better than ever before.

The Spring, which is continuing its monthly book club and uploaded a stage production to its website to watch, was due to hold a free family day on April 18. Now families can buy tickets to enjoy the event virtually on Zoom or YouTube. ‘It was going to be a free Roman-inspired board game event, called Romans, created by Mufti Games. The performers will be streaming from their own homes in Bristol from 10am.’

And if you want to challenge yourself to learning or developing a skill, West Dean College of Arts and Conservation, near Chichester, is on hand to help.Their tutors have created a sketchbook project and short-course YouTube videos for those who fancy learning how to crochet, draw charcoal portraits, or sew a pin cushion.

Alison Baxter, head of the school of art at West Dean College, says: ‘The arts are a really important way of connecting with other people. A lot of people join our courses for interaction and to benefit from other people’s creativity so it’s important to keep on putting it out there.

‘We have found a new way of learning and that’s really exciting.’

Several musicians in Portsmouth rely on gigs for their income, but when venues closed, it was time to get creative.

James Tattington, from Southsea, is the man behind Fugitive Orchestra and has given Facebook Live shows since lockdown. He performs on Fugitive Orchestra’s Facebook page every Friday at 8pm.

‘I am a musician. As well as gigs, I also perform at weddings and birthday parties. It’s my whole livelihood,’ explains James.

‘I was aware of live streaming gigs for ages but it isn’t until now I have been investigating how to do it. I did one of my first live streams for Hampshire-based charity Naomi House and Jacksplace. I also did a live stream gig for a venue in Birmingham which was donating a chunk of funds to NHS Covid-19 relief.’

Bemis, a former Guide-award winner, has also taken to live-streaming. Founder Gareth Howells, from Southsea, says: ‘Our Facebook lives have been very interactive. People make requests – we’ve played some songs we haven’t played for 10 years.’

Gareth and his son Louis are the only two of the seven band members live-streaming, but they’re hoping to find a way to get them all involved. They currently stream on Bemis’ Facebook page every 10 days – and did a two-hour whopper last time.

‘These Facebook Lives make a difference to us. I was feeling a bit lost without the music,’ adds Gareth. ‘I think we would live stream for a special event or anniversaries, but I don’t want this to take away from live music at gigs.’

It wasn’t just arts and culture venues affected by lockdown. South Downs National Park also had to close its gates to the public but you can roam Hampshire’s and West Sussex’s natural wonders virtually through Sam Moore’s drone footage. The four minute video called South Downs by air is on South Downs National Park Youtube.

Kate Drake, health and wellbeing officer for the park, believes virtual escapes are important. She explains: ‘We’re asking people to stay at home and not to travel to visit the park – but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of all the amazing digital assets and connect with the outdoors virtually. That could be through watching drone footage of the park on your mobile phone. Being connected to nature can have a real calming and grounding effect that can support us through difficult times.’

For more information about all of the venues and musicians mentioned, type in their name on Facebook or the internet.

Keeping in touch

Venues are much more than just a place to house gigs, stage productions and other art events. They are also community hubs.

Chichester Festival Theatre and The Spring are ensuring they keep in contact with local people and their volunteers.

CFT’s Kathy Bourne says: ‘We have a buddy system at the theatre, which encourages people who may not want to come by themselves or may have social anxiety, to the theatre. The buddies have kept up contact with each other (during lockdown)’.

‘We’re staying in touch with all our volunteers with almost daily emails,’ says Sophie Fullerlove, of The Spring.

‘One lives in Portsmouth and is going through chemotherapy. Our staff and volunteers are going out to do his shopping.’