Arts leaders write once more to the Times

Another letter today from 70 heads of arts institutions:

Sir, The performing arts are battling for survival at a time when theatre matters more than ever. It is not only the West End, the panto, world-class musicals, dance, opera and Shakespeare, it is the creative and outreach work happening around the country in our diverse communities, outdoors, in pop-up spaces, at festivals and online. Theatre tackles contemporary issues head on. With Black Lives Matter stirring our national consciousness, theatre can play a critical role in challenging, educating and informing people.

Theatre is a national success story, vital to Britain’s economic prosperity. It attracted 34 million visitors last year, employs 300,000 people, promotes tourism and generates huge tax revenues, including VAT of £130 million in London alone.

Our industry depends on the £1.3 billion of annual ticket sales that has now disppeared…

The rest you have read before in previous weekly letters of this kind.