Theatregoers attending David Tennant's penultimate Macbeth performance on the West End on Friday will be offered face masks and Covid tests as part of a health safety awareness campaign.
The West End production was forced to cancel several shows last month, with one cancelled just two hours before the performance due to “company illness”, leaving ticket holders disappointed.
On November 1, the Harold Pinter Theatre took to social media to announce that the show, as well as the next three days of shows, would be cancelled as a result.
While their message reassured theatre-goers that they would hear from ticket providers about refunds or rescheduling, many fans expressed frustration over the last-minute show cancellations, especially those who had travelled long distances.
One penned on X: “Meanwhile, in London, UK, the entire company (including David Tennant of Macbeth is ill & forced cancellation of 4 consecutive performances just to hours prior to their curtain call.”
“I'm really disappointed by the way this has been handled. My friend and I had tickets for tonight. Because we knew previous shows had been cancelled we'd been checking all morning for notice of cancellation,” another commented.
Tennant, 53, famous for his roles in Doctor Who and Broadchurch, reprised his role as the title character in Shakespeare’s tragedy in October alongside Stay Close actress Cush Jumbo. The theatre’s announcement did not specify who had become sick, or if it was multiple people.
In response to the ongoing issues, Protect the Heart of the Arts, a grassroots advocacy campaign focused on the long Covid crisis in the performing arts, are hosting their “festive mask-out” appeal outside Harold Pinter Theatre on Friday ahead of Tennant’s penultimate performance, between 5.30pm and 7.30pm.
The event, which is not in collaboration with the venue or production, aims to raise awareness about long Covid and the need for better safety measures for performers by handing out masks and lateral flow tests to theatre-goers.
Charles Waltz, co-founder of Protect the Heart of the Arts, told the Standard: “It’s an information-sharing event designed to raise awareness about the importance of accurate testing and occupational health safety, as well as to support the establishment of a community testing hub for the London arts sector.
“The Macbeth run saw four cancellations and unprecedented reliance on six understudies, highlighting the significant impact illnesses can have on productions.”
Unfortunately due to company sickness the performance of Macbeth tonight has been cancelled.
— Harold Pinter Theatre (@HPinterTheatre) November 4, 2024
Your ticket provider will be in contact with you in the next few days regarding your tickets.
We’re very sorry and thank you for understanding.
While it’s unclear whether Macbeth’s cast illnesses were caused by Covid, Mr Waltz noted that “current lateral flow tests often fail to detect” the virus until days after symptoms appear, leading to “unintentional spread”.
He emphasised that the festive event, organised in collaboration with London COVID Conscious Creatives and COVID Action, is not a protest but an opportunity to share information and find solutions to protect the health of those in the arts.
Mr Waltz continued: “Last year, Protect the Heart of the Arts handed out masks during Macbeth’s press night weekend when it first opened, drawing attention to how the scaling back of protections like masks and testing is having an effect.
🚨 PRESS RELEASE 🚨
— Charles W | Protect the Heart of the Arts 💕😷 (@waltz_tales) December 12, 2024
AFTER ILLNESSES AT DAVID TENNANT’S MACBETH, PERFORMERS’ GROUP TO HAND OUT MASKS + TESTS#ProtectTheHeartOfTheArts calls for better COVID testing & safety at Harold Pinter Theatre TOMORROW, Dec 13, 5:30–7:30 PM.
Tag big accounts & news to spread the word!🌍📰 pic.twitter.com/FLGYfV5BNS
“Now, with better tools available, such as on-site testing, we can work toward more robust safety measures for the arts sector.”
They are also urging the theatre to consider implementing a Plus-Life testing unit to protect the cast, crew, staff, and audiences, helping to prevent future disruptions.
The Harold Pinter Theatre has been contacted for comment.
The advocacy group’s “festive mask-out” comes mere days after Tennant was forced to leave the stage during a performance of Macbeth after a theatregoer sparked chaos.
The incident occurred on Tuesday when an audience member, returning from the bathroom, caused a disturbance after being told he couldn't return to his seat immediately.
Theatre staff had to intervene when the situation escalated, with reports of multiple audience members becoming involved in the row. The disruptive spectator eventually left the venue 15 minutes later.
