Press Contact: Natalie Thomas
6 August 2024
The scenes on the streets of Plymouth last night, and especially in and around our theatre, were truly shocking.
Through the course of the evening, as I was following what was happening, I felt many things. Overwhelmingly I felt relief that we took the action that we did to keep our audiences, staff and performers safe and away from the violence.
Yesterday, we worked at pace to take the decision to lock-down the theatre and cancel the show, and the workshops, that were due to take place last night.
In our statement yesterday we referred to the planned action on the streets of Plymouth as ‘protests’. In these circumstances language matters. What happened last night was not peaceful protest it was far-right racist rioting fuelled by misinformation, aimed at dividing our community. So, today, we call this out and clarify what it was.
From our dealings with Plymouth City Council and Devon and Cornwall Police we know that the main perpetrators of last night’s violence were not local to Plymouth. They came here to whip-up hatred and cause disruption to our city. They succeeded in some, but not all, ways.
This is not Plymouth, this is not TRP, and we will not let the events of last night further impact our operation. Whilst we have more to do, and further positive action to take, we are proud of the diversity of our team – on stage, off stage and backstage. Together, we make TRP what it is: a place where everyone should feel safe and welcome.
Thanks to the efforts of Devon and Cornwall Police there has been no damage to the fabric of the building. Over the coming days we will increase the security presence front-of-house, and at Stage Door, and our fantastic front-of-house teams will of course welcome everyone to TRP with a smile, in the way they always do.
I have been touched by the many offers of support over the last 24 hours. The best way you can support TRP is to come. Join us in our auditoriums, escape the world for a few hours and witness the talent on our stages.
So, tonight, the show must go on, and what a show it is. One that celebrates who we are, in all our diversity, and a show that reminds us to live by our values, to stand up for what is right, and to never follow the crowd.
James Mackenzie-Blackman
CEO & Executive Producer
On behalf of all the team at Theatre Royal Plymouth