Local arts venues need our support more than ever. William Burdett-Coutts of Riverside Studios talks about how it’s planning for its uncertain future
The outbreak of coronavirus has been a disaster for local theatres such as Riverside Studios in Hammersmith.
CEO and Artistic Director, William Burdett-Coutts, spoke to Horton and Garton about how they’ve been affected by COVID-19 and what plans they’re making to recover – despite the timing. The theatre, cinema and TV studios had only just reopened following an ambitious and costly five-year redevelopment.
“We began opening the building last November and were due to be fully open by April,” William said. “We tried to keep the building open, keeping the restaurant open and the TV Studios running, but it got to a point where it was obvious that they couldn’t.”
With shows like Love, Loss and Chianti starring Robert Bathurst attracting great audiences in its first run and the routinely fully-booked Sam’s Riverside on the up, Riverside Studios were preparing for a great year. “We were really just starting to build our following again,” he said.
Virtual Riverside
The Riverside has tried to stay active and relevant during the pandemic by going digital. Their new programme – called ‘Dive In’ – feature an online offering with a weekly yoga class, a dance class for children and a free classic film with accompanying discussions via Zoom. William also has plans for reviving past productions. ”I want to dig out all the shows we’ve done over the years and try get permission to share them. We’re trying to keep a community engagement going with people.”
Perhaps one of the biggest events they’ve planned during the lockdown is their upcoming series of virtual charity quiz nights. Each quiz lasts an hour and is hosted by a different celebrity, from Stephen Fry to Jo Brand, with 90% of the money raised going toward helping Riverside Studios re-open their doors when allowed, with the other 10% going to the Imperial Health Charity.
Life after lockdown
The sudden loss of revenue has been a devastating blow for the entire performing arts industry. And it’s driving many to seek alternative methods of generating income. Bush Theatre in Uxbridge Road has launched its £30-a-month Star Supporters membership scheme with exclusive benefits, while the Chiswick Playhouse has introduced a buy a seat campaign.
At Riverside Studios, they’re offering donors the opportunity to name a seat for a £1,000 donation. “It’s a bizarre time, and a terrible time for theatre,” William said. “All the people producing shows everywhere have had to shut everything down and it has cost producers a lot of money. The challenge is getting to a point a where people are confident enough to start spending money again.
“We don’t know whether people will want to come out again or not. They might be cautious about going to theatres, restaurants and the cinema. But the minute we’re able to open our cinema and our restaurant again, we will. The only thing we can do is judge it month by month – and then move as fast as we can when we’re up and running.”
William hopes that their television studios will be one of the first parts of the building to reopen, as prior to the outbreak, several big name shows were customers. “We were meant to have Have I Got News For You recording in our studios – but they’re currently recording from their own homes,” William said. As for the theatre he said, “We will revive Love, Loss and Chianti at some point – but I predict it wont be until next year.”
For anyone that enjoys a trip to their local theatre, William is reassuring: “Keep positive and get back out as soon as you can and revive business as soon as you can.”
To support Riverside Studios or to find out more about their digital offerings, visit: www.riversidestudios.co.uk
