THE Tron Theatre and Citizens Theatre have joined a group of Scottish arts venues in urging the government to review current social distancing rules. 

As part of The Scottish Theatre Producing Consortium, the city venues are asking that rules be reviewed to allow more audience members through the door, with claims that current two-metre social distancing rules would make productions "financially unviable". 

With current rules, The Tron Theatre - which has a capacity of 236 - would only be able to seat 14 people per performance.

In a survey by the Federation of Scottish Theatre, 96% of its members responded that it is not economically viable for them to reopen with a two-metre social distancing requirement. 

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Fiona Sturgeon Shea, Chief Executive of the Federation of Scottish Theatre said: "We have worked carefully and collaboratively to ensure that the sector is ready to begin making, producing and presenting work for public audiences and participants in as safe and accessible a way as possible.

“With the right regulations and package of support, the sector will be able to continue making its significant contribution to the cultural, social and economic life of Scotland, as well as health and wellbeing, as part of its recovery and beyond.”

The theatres have also asked for further guidance on when and how they will be able to reopen in line with Scotland's roadmap out of lockdown.

James Mackenzie-Blackman, Chair of the Scottish Touring Theatre Consortium, said: "The consortium is grateful for the intervention of the Cabinet Secretary, and for the reassurance from the First Minister that culture will play a critical role in the nation’s COVID recovery, but that will only be possible if we are able to plan for the months ahead.

"We are a creative and professional sector, confident that we can safely return audiences to our venues.

"We urge the government to recognise that the current guidance on social distancing makes a meaningful re-start of the sector almost impossible and to engage fully with the sector to address this.”