14.05.20
It’s with heavy hearts that the Board of Griffin Theatre Company and I are today announcing an extension to the SBW Stables Theatre’s temporary closure, until September of this year.
Although Australia’s commitment to social distancing measures has led to a healthy flattening of the COVID-19 curve over the past months, with our state of NSW even lifting some restrictions, for the arts and live events sectors, there is still a long road ahead before things can return to ‘normal’.
As a result, Griffin is unable to present the productions that were slated to form part of our 2020 Season up until September of this year. This decision has not been made lightly, and we hope that Grif-friends can appreciate the difficulty and uncertainty that Australian theatres face not only this year, but heading into 2021. We appreciate your patience, love and support during the SBW Stables Theatre’s continued closure.
At this current time, we will reopen in September as planned with the Griffin Award-winning Superheroes by Mark Rogers, Enemies of Grooviness – Eat Shit by Emma Maye Gibson and Betty Grumble, followed by the much-anticipated revival production of Wicked Sisters by Alma De Groen in November, which will finish up Griffin’s 2020 Season.
As the SBW Stables will remain closed until September, sadly, we will no longer be able to present the following 2020 Season productions: FEAR by Oliver Twist, Wherever She Wanders by Kendall Feaver, No Standing. No Dancing. by Phil Spencer, and Is There Something Wrong With That Lady? by Debra Oswald. The 50 Years of the Stables Play Readings of Mr Bailey’s Minder by Debra Oswald and The Falls by Hilary Bell will be postponed to later in the year.
Griffin Theatre Company understands the gravity of this decision for all those involved with these shows, and remains committed to the financial support of all contracted creatives engaged with us across 2020. This includes the actors, directors, stage management and designers employed on cancelled shows, as well as our casual Box Office, Bar, and Front of House staff.
Refunds & Ticket Exchanges
With the extension of our temporary closure, we stand by our commitment to support artists and creatives in the arts industry. We know this is the right thing to do, but as a tiny company it will intensify the serious financial strain that the last months have put us under. We ask that if you have already purchased a ticket to FEAR, Wherever She Wanders, No Standing. No Dancing., or Is There Something Wrong With That Lady?, please consider converting your ticket price to a tax deductible donation, with receipt provided. Your donations have always been essential to the theatrical ecosystem of Griffin, but at this time in particular, donations make all the difference to our small company’s survival in an uncertain Australia. Alternatively, you’ll have the option to get a full refund on your ticket, or receive a gift certificate to use for a future production. Think of it like a present to your future self! Please click on the relevant link below to access your show’s ticket options:
FEAR
WHEREVER SHE WANDERS
NO STANDING. NO DANCING.
IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THAT LADY?
If you want to support us further, please consider making an End of Financial Year donation: All the world’s a stage? Help us get back to ours.
The Griffin team are still working from home in line with current health and safety recommendations, and our Office and Box Office will remain formally closed for now. However, please send us an email or voicemail with any enquiries or concerns you may have, and we’ll be in touch as soon as possible.
Thank you for your continued support through this difficult time. We can’t wait to see you back at the Stables soon.
Much love,
Declan
Declan Greene
Artistic Director & Co-CEO
