THE Ardhowen Theatre in Enniskillen is planning to reopen in August following the Northern Ireland Executive's latest easing of coronavirus restrictions regarding live entertainment venues that were announced on Monday, July 26.

As of Tuesday evening, July 27, the following easements for concert venues, theatres and other indoor venues (seated) in Northern Ireland came into effect:

  • Audiences will be permitted to return to performances.
  • Live music will be permitted for rehearsals and performances, with no restriction to background or ambient levels of volume.
  • Entry to performances for audiences will be by ticket only. Tickets must be purchased in advance of the performance.
  • Audiences for indoor events must have allocated seating and remain seated (unless using facilities) and are not permitted to dance.
  • Social distancing of one metre is required.
  • At this time, it is not possible to permit such events for other indoor facilities contained within larger premises (for example, function rooms of hotels were not included in these decisions).

In welcoming the approved first steps in the reopening of theatres, a spokesman for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council noted that foremost for the Council is that its performing arts venues, the Ardhowen and the Strule, are "safe and compliant with restrictions that are in place".

He continued: "Both venues have followed best practice and guidance and will be recognised as 'We’re Good To Go' – the official UK mark to signal that a tourism and hospitality business has worked hard to follow government and industry Covid-19 guidelines, and has a process in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing.

"With one-metre social distancing, audiences will be limited in numbers, and in line with guidance, all tickets must be purchased in advance for allocated seating.

"Initially, shows will not have an interval, and all audience members attending will be required to leave their contact details."

Over the past few weeks, the Council has also been working with performers, promoters and community groups to develop a programme on which it is understood that more detail will be released over the coming days, with tickets for shows in August going on sale at the end of this week.

"Staff at the venues are looking forward to welcoming performers and audiences back," the Council spokesman told this newspaper.