While there are numerous donors who came forward to support the freelancers working in the U.K. theater industry, it is still insufficient. Sam Mendes who leads the fundraiser called The Theatre Artists Fund started the initiative of helping the freelancers.
There are many stage artists who used to work on a freelance basis before the pandemic is jobless for months. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are major celebrities who donated and raised $2 million.
The event of collecting funds began on July 6 which was set for The Society of London Theatre and U.K. Theatre. The theatre received $636,000 from Netflix and it has extended by The Estate Of Sir Peter and Lady Saunders.
There are more donations collected by Eileen Davidson Productions, Sophie Hunter, and her husband Benedict Cumberbatch, The Mackintosh Foundation, Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, Imelda Staunton, Eileen Davidson Productions, Linbury Trust, Sonia Friedman, Tom Hiddleston, Eddie Redmayne, Hugh Bonneville, and Caro Newling.
Apart from that, there is a $108,000 fund received from donors who are part of the industry through Enthuse, which is an online platform for sending donations. The donors include David Hare, Michaela Coel, Armando Iannucci, Michael Frayn, Nicholas Hytner, Mark Strong, Thea Sharrock, Laura Wade, Edgar Wright, Emma Thompson, and David Walliams.
Although the numbers allow the seeking freelancers to get $1,270 each it can support a little group of people. In one week, there are 4,000 freelancers request received out of which only 1,600 people were managed to help.
These theater practitioners are not receiving any support from the government officials and they have no clue when the work will resume. However, there are news floating that theaters might be open soon. Professionals are worried that it won't be viable financially for many theater owners to resume under the new guidelines.
The theater industry has more than 50% of people working based on freelance. "So we know that literally thousands of more actors, writers, directors, stage managers, costume designers and much more urgently need our help," Mendes explained.
Although Mendes hoped that this will allow 1,600 people economically aid. He also confirmed that this is just the first attempt of raising funds and in the future, they plan to raise more funds for the professionals.
The 54-year-old film director requested business owners, other streaming platforms, theatre lovers, studios, and philanthropists to support the cause. Society of London Theatre's CEO, Julian Bird said that this is a way that can provide a lifeline to many, though it is for short-term.