Disney’s FROZEN: THE MUSICAL receives relaxed capacity restrictions
The Minister for Health, Brad Hazzard, has swiftly lifted the exemption to Disney’s first big post-pandemic production to 85 percent capacity when it opens in Sydney next month. With current COVID-19 restrictions limiting audience capacity to 50 percent, or one person every four square metres, subsidies to major production companies have been the only lifeline for the beleaguered arts industry.
Current COVID-19 restrictions at the Capitol Theatre Sydney include flexible ticketing policies, as well as preventing large gatherings of people in the foyer prior to the show.
Face masks will be mandatory for all patrons and queuing systems will be in place in order to keep patrons at a safe distance from one another. On arrival all attendees must register using a digital QR entry code entry to ensure complete transparency in the event contact tracing is required.
Signage will be visible throughout the theatre to keep people safe. Current health regualations mean that patrons will not be able to consume food or drinks until seated. The bars, box office and merchandise shops will all be cashless, and the auditorium doors will be open 45 minutes prior to the scheduled performance to ensure adequate entry time. The theatre foyers and auditorium will receive a full professional deep clean between each performance including anti-viral fogging to ensure the safety of the audience.
New tickets for Frozen went on sale Monday when the producers were informed of the new exemption.
NSW Health said it had worked with the Capitol Theatre to ensure the risk associated with increased numbers could be appropriately managed.
As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, The Minister for Health said;
“The NSW Government continues to consider the capacity for other entertainment productions. However, no final decisions have yet been made.”
It is yet to be reported whether the Gordon Frost Production of Pippin will also receive a similar exemption when it re-opens the Sydney Lyric Theatre tomorrow.
