5 Light It in Red: Liverpool venues join

L L THIS WEEK RED-Y, SET,

Liverpool venues have joined a national fight to save the future of the arts, as PAUL MCAULEY reports

L L THIS WEEK CAMPAIGN

The last time Liverpool lit up in red was in celebration of LFC winning the Premier League. However, this time, it was notfor a celebration but rather for a crisis.

With no set date for live events, shows, festivals or performances to return, iconic venues and landmarks around the city showed their support for the creative industry by turning ‘emergency red’ and joining the #LightItInRed Campaign.

Liverpool now stands as one with other cities from London to Manchester to Belfast all illuminating in red over the last few months to draw attention to the critical condition the live event and entertainment industry finds itself in these unprecedented times.

With the industry having the largest proportion of the workforce furloughed, the campaign is striving to grab the attention of the government with the hope that they will realise the importance of the Arts, a sector which the economy relies so heavily on.

According to DCMS figures, the creative industries alone contributed £111.7bn to the UK economy in 2018.

Like millions of others across the country, local playwright and actor James Jarman shares the mutual feeling of frustration towards the government’s handling or, in his eyes, the lack of with the on-going pandemic.

“The government will offer the hospitality sector furlough schemes, or ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ incentives, but fail to do that to an industry that helps provide billions more towards the economy.

“Even other sectors, such as hospitality, are heavily reliant on the performance industry as it helps draw people out of their homes to be social.

“How many times have you been asked to the theatre to see a show and gone for a meal or a drink beforehand? Possibly, even both! The arts are everywhere; at the theatre, on the radio, on the television, and I think people forget how much of an impact the arts have on day-to-day life.”

A glimpse of hope was given to Britain’s art industry back in July when a £1.5bn rescue package was pledged by the government, despite this, with having two projects cancelled and no sign of being back on centre stage anytime soon, James is feeling the impact. “I was meant to direct an original something - I am hoping to develop the ideas more for the future. ‘ ’ People forget how much of an impact the arts have on dayto-day life piece for the Liverpool Fringe this “I wrote some short monologues year which was to happen in June/ that were filmed by actors online. I July, but unfortunately got cancelled. was thrilled that I was able to share I was also meant to be involved as an my work with other performers actor in another play in August, but and witness their interpretation. I that also got cancelled. think the actors were happy to be

“As I work in hospitality, I am involved in something.” lucky that I have another source of Over the weekend hundreds were income, however, that doesn’t make set to take to the streets of Liverit any less heart-breaking.” pool to rally in a march. This was quickly cancelled in order to follow the latest guidelines.

Having graduated from Liv“Not to be defined by the circumerpool Theatre School with stances, the March For The Arts a diploma in Professional protest became virtual with many Musical Theatre, James has showing off their creative talents since continued to star in productions on twitter. The official account such as ‘Vinegar Tom’ and ‘The 25th tweeted; Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ “24 hours since we found out we but recently has had to turn other needed to change our plans for tovarious means to satisfy his creative day and we still can’t believe what urges. we were able to achieve so quickly.

“I managed to write two pilots for We really couldn’t have done this various BBC writers programmes, without every single person who alas both got rejected, however, I was has supported us. Thank you all. A happy that I had this time to create small rest and then we carry on.”