The cultural community reacted in a divided way to the relaxations announced Tuesday by Prime Minister François Legault. The enthusiasm of cinema operators is not shared by the world of entertainment.
Posted at 5:33 p.m.
What is problematic are the conditions imposed for the reopening of the rooms, scheduled from February 7. Cinemas, theaters and performance halls will only be able to accommodate a number of spectators equivalent to half their capacity, up to a maximum of 500 people.
Éric Bouchard and the members of the Corporation of Quebec Cinemas would have liked an “unconditional” opening, but still welcomed the relaxations with “joy and relief”. “There are rumors that have been circulating since [mardi] morning, but it was a nice surprise to hear that,” he said.
Michel Sabourin, spokesman for the Association of independent performance halls of Quebec (ASSIQ) and president of Club Soda, did not jump for joy. “It won’t change much, we won’t get there at half capacity,” he lamented, adding that a broadcaster operates at a loss if his room is not filled to at least 70% or 75%.
Movie theaters will be ready to welcome moviegoers from February 7 or 11, depending on location. “We are going to be in a much better position than during previous reopenings, believes Éric Bouchard. The availability of films will not be a problem. A point of view shared by Denis Hurtubise, of the Association of Quebec Cinema Owners.
In the world of entertainment, a relaunch with less than two weeks notice is not so easy to put in place. Having a date is good, but it’s not enough. “I understand that the government cannot predict the end of the pandemic,” said David Laferrière, general manager of Théâtre Gilles-Vigneault and president of RIDEAU, an organization that brings together 350 theaters in Quebec. “However, predictability is not just a fixed timetable. It’s having guidelines, a vision and a plan, like in Ontario. »
Shows: concern remains
“I’m happy, but I feel like a yoyo”, illustrates Francine Bernier, general and artistic director of the Agora de la danse. “I manage three rooms of different gauge. And it’s been five times that we change our seating plans, before reopening the ticket office. Hopefully this time the guidelines will stay the same until June…”
In addition to affecting the profitability of the shows, the capacity limits imposed by the government pose several logistical problems, according to Michel Sabourin, who has a few dozen shows on the agenda of Club Soda. “What do I do with the shows sold at more than 50% capacity? he asks. I draw lots and call people? »
Nick Farkas, vice-president, programming, at evenko, said he was very disappointed with the announcement made on Tuesday. The promoter has already canceled or postponed 86 performances since December, and more than 40 more will suffer the same fate in February alone. The artists his team schedules can’t perform to half-full venues, and he fears that the trust of international agents and artists is beginning to crumble.
Predictability and support
The lack of predictability is a concern highlighted by many cultural stakeholders. Michel Sabourin would have liked the government to announce a recovery plan and in particular the extension of the aid measures currently in place. “We also ask that the financial compensation for the losses at the ticket office be renewed until March 2023, says Lorraine Pintal, general and artistic director of the TNM. Because it is not guaranteed that the public will return in such large numbers to our theaters by 2025. We must therefore plan the recovery in the long term. »
“My biggest fear is not finding the public in large numbers, as before the pandemic, also underlines David Laferrière. It terrifies me! It may take time, years, to re-establish these links with the public. Hence the importance of having a two-year recovery plan. »
The concern is also acute on the side of the Grouping of major and international events (REMI), which brings together the major festivals in particular. “If the summer festivals don’t have clear answers, a timetable, by March or April, it will be difficult for them to do their programming. It has become unmanageable! launches Martin Roy, CEO of REMI. We have to find a way to be able to plan the course of major events. »
— With the collaboration of Luc Boulanger, The Press