We thought it worthwhile bringing you all up to date with what is happening at TFT, particularly as there is so much doom and gloom being published by many theatrical institutions.

A number of things have happened very recently which in fact gives a considerable amount of hope. Firstly the R level remains consistently under 1 and the alert level has dropped to 3. Test and trace is getting under way and the NHS is now not under as much pressure as it has been. We don't wish to sound complacent people are still shielding, getting very ill and dying.

However as we are getting back to some form of normality with Cine World and Vue announcing they will open from 10th July and The London Palladium announcing that it too will open in July we need to review our own situation.

The Trustees have therefore taken the decision to re open our theatres to the public as of Monday 13th July. The following shows will now run:

13th - 18th July Acorn Studio

Frankie & Johnney at the Clair de Lune

27th July - 1st August Oak Theatre

A Chorus Line

3rd - 8th August The Great Barn

The Merchant of Venice.

Shows will then continue to run as per our brochure from there on in.

Tickets will be on sale from Monday 22nd June.

Tickets can only be purchased on line.

Patrons (or groups, if they have been isolating together) will be placed in the auditoria at 2mts distance (for the moment, as we expect this to change shortly) A board in the foyer will show where they are seated to observe social distancing rules.

As patrons and cast come in they will be scanned by a thermal camera. If their/your temperature is over the norm and cannot be explained they/you will not be admitted to the theatre.

Automatic Hand sanitising stations are dotted around the theatre(foyer, stage door, toilets and both bars)

At the bar staff will be wearing clear face shields.

Signage covers the whole theatre asking people to wash hands, observe 2mt distancing etc, and to follow the safe one way system we have applied.

We have invested in an ozone generator (so far the only theatre in the UK to have one!) This will sanitize all auditoria, public spaces and stage areas. This machine, like domestos, kills 'all known germs' bugs and viruses including Covid19. It will be applied after every show after audiences and cast have left the building. This will ensure that the building is completely sanitized and safe. This is on top of the increased cleaning and sanitising regime we have put in place.

Finally to ensure that no one feels left out, especially those vulnerable and shielding patrons, we have invested in over £60,000 worth of camera, sound and vision mixing equipment so we can stream our shows live and to begin with FREE to view. This is a major step forward and allows us to give broadcast HD TV quality streaming year round.

We as a group, company, charity call us what you want, have always strived to bring great drama to our many patrons. We will continue to do this come what may and hopefully we will be the first to do so and be a beacon for others on how to do this safely

On behalf of the Trustees for TFT

Kevin Fraser

Artistic Director