But will social distancing kill the vibe – and the business

Theatres in Ireland will be able to reopen on August 10 - but only if they can maintain physical distancing between customers.

The Dublin government has published a detailed roadmap as to how the country will emerge from the roadmap, in contrast to the UK where Ministers have been reluctant to commit to any declared course of action.

It announced a five-stage plan it intends to follow, as long as the coronavirus outbreak remains in check at each phase, with the opening of theatres and cinemas coming at the final step.

However, the sparse audiences required to maintain two-metre distancing is unlikely to be an appealing prospect for live performance, and may remain economically unviable.

Pubs, bars and nightclubs would also remain closed until August 10, with cafes and restaurants allowed to open in the third stage on June 29, again with social distancing in place.

Unveiling the plans on Friday night, taoiseach Leo Varadkar, pictured, acknowledged: ‘It will take some time for our lives to get back to normal,’ but added: ‘It will happen.’

Last week, many of Britain’s leading comedy clubs told Chortle they were confident their businesses would bounce back after lockdown is lifted, with most believing that autumn would be the most likely time for them to be allowed to reopen their doors.

But at the weekend, West End impresario Cameron Mackintosh said  it might be 2021 until his venues opening, telling Michael Ball on his radio show: 'My fear is, unless we hear something in the next few weeks, we won't be back until early next year.'

Published: 4 May 2020