Theatre makes case to Dr. Henry to safely hold shows

The Caravan Farm Theatre in Spallumcheen has sent a letter to Dr. Bonnie Henry, asking her to include live theatre on the list of businesses allowed to remain in operation if current health orders are relaxed.

All social events and gatherings are currently suspended until Dec. 7, including live theatre performances.

Theatre Manager and Artistic Director Estelle Shook, along with Caravan Farm Theatre Society Manager Board Chair Teresa Marshall, have asked the Provincial Health Office to amend its future orders to allow professional live theatre.

The theatre has also asked its patrons to sign the letter in support.

“While the Caravan’s board and staff commend Dr. Bonnie Henry and the Provincial Health Office’s tireless efforts to steer B..C through the pandemic, we believe that professional theatre is as safe, and plays as important a role in our communities, as movie theatres, bars, pubs and restaurants, and ski hills,” said Shook.

From the beginning of the pandemic, Caravan said it has developed and maintained health and safety measures to ensure its staff, crew, and patrons are safe before and during productions.

“We have developed rigorous Covid-19 protocols in adherence with each provincial health order. These protocols have been developed and implemented by professionally trained practitioners, in conjunction with WorkSafe BC and the support of sectoral organizations such as Actsafe. This rapid adaptation has allowed us to continue to provide our community with meaningful cultural activity, who now, more than ever, need safe opportunities to connect, imagine, and enjoy,” Shook said.

The society said this year’s Winter Sleigh-Ride show is no exception. Winter production safety measures include capping audience capacity to 48 people per show and only selling tickets to “bubbles” of six people or less. Each of the four sleighs will only accommodate 12 patrons of two bubbles each, with each designated a side of the sleigh and separated by a plexiglass barrier that will run across the middle. All patrons will be required to wear masks.

“Similar to movie theatres, restaurants, pubs and bars, Caravan has taken reservations of patrons in “bubbles” to observe traffic flow and has designated a sanitized space to occupy in a shared common area. And like ski hills, our patrons assemble outdoors to attend events. They also similarly pass through a series of low, to no-contact processes such as a box office/admission gate, and front of house lobby/lift lines,” said Shook, adding that ushers and front-of-house staff direct and gently control the movements of patrons.

“We provide a safe, much-needed service to our communities, especially at this time of year.”

The team at Caravan Farm Theatre have designed their winter show production to be prepared for multiple scenarios, even an extended shut down.

“We knew a shut-down was a possibility and have designed our production to be ready to adapt. We will move the entire event to January if we need to. For those who cannot attend, the show will be available as a digital experience, complete with steady cam footage to capture the horses and the sleigh ride route through the fields and forests. By hook or by crook, we will deliver our winter show,” Shook added.

For more information, visit www.caravanfarmtheatre.com.