Dear Young Vic: a snapshot of a year in letters

A CASE FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE SOUTH BANK
"The South Bank area of my constituency not only contributes to our
culture's enormous identity, but generates so much income and
employment.... Alongside those big, hard-hitting cultural heritage sites, we
have smaller but no less important sites: live music venues and theatres,
such as the Young Vic theatre and the historic Royal Vauxhall Tavern.
Aside from their cultural importance, what makes them so special is that
they are embedded in the communities where they are located...
... They bring a cultural, economic and social enrichment to the lives of our
residents in the form of employment, and artistic and creative support
programmes.
Last month, I had the honour of attending a socially distanced 50th
anniversary celebration for the Young Vic theatre. The Young Vic is an
incredible, innovative theatre that is embedded in schools and the
community. Under the leadership of the inspiring playwright and director
Kwame Kwei-Armah, it runs a year-round programme for residents,
championing diversity. For those people who are traditionally underrepresented
in arts and culture, that is so important.
These organisations, from the smaller theatres to the big ones, will
continue to suffer under the financial challenges of Covid. We have seen a
dramatic fall in audiences-and, in some cases, no audiences whatsoever.
Many of my constituents who work in the sector will not return to business
as usual, even as the lockdown eases.
They will continue to be hit hard."
Vauxhall MP Florence Eshalomi
Speaking to the House of Commons, 6 October 2020
Florence Eshalomi outside the Young Vic. Photo (c) Florence Eshalomi