Despite changing capacity limits, pandemic restrictions and doors opening and closing, the people behind the Astor Theatre are still trying their best to provide an arts experience for Liverpool.<\/p>\n
Restrictions announced before Christmas to limit the spread of the Omicron variant closed the popular Liverpool theatre.<\/p>\n
Safety measures put in place gave patrons the confidence to come out in large numbers ahead of the shut down according to General Manager Jean Robinson-Dexter.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople told us that they felt safe, they felt welcome and so we will just continue to do that once we\u2019re able to welcome folks back here,\u201d said Robinson-Dexter.<\/p>\n
Without regular ticket sales, the theatre is leaning heavily on government grants to stay afloat.<\/p>\n
She says the theatre is more to the community than entertainment.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd it\u2019s so important for people, both, I think, for social connection, to get folks out in the community, seeing friends again, and just for their mental health and well-being,\u201d said Robinson-Dexter. \u201cMusic can fill you up.\u201d<\/p>\n