Cape Town City Ballet has announced that it is going to retrench some of the company’s permanent dancers as a result of the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the arts and entertainment industry.
The company’s board says consultations with the performers are under way. The board says it was able to sustain them for five months of the lockdown without box office income.
All 2020 ballet performances have been cancelled.
Cape Town City Ballet’s board has apologised to the dancers, saying it hopes to meet them some time next year when the Artscape theatre is expected to open its doors again.
Restrictions eased for the creative industry
On Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced relaxed regulations for the country, including the creative industry.
Under level one lockdown set to kick in on Monday, indoor events will be allowed to host no more than 200 people while 500 will be the maximum number of people who can attend outdoor events.
Many have hailed the news as a relief to the creative industry, which was up in arms lately demanding that they should be allowed to hold events.
SA musician Vicky Sampson shares more on the plight of artists in the country:
