Coronavirus: Immersive Great Gatsby plans October reopening with social distancing

If it reopens on October 1 as planned, it will be the among the first long-running theatre productions to welcome audiences again following the industry’s closure in March.

Producers Louis Hartshorn and Brian Hook said they believe smaller-scale immersive productions may be the first shows able to reopen while also adhering to government guidelines on large gatherings and social distancing.

"We want to offer something for people to look forward to following this extended lockdown. Our show has several inherent features that make it safer than a trip to the supermarket, so we’re embracing that and innovating. Hopefully we can provide a blueprint for other productions to open safely and be part of the process of restoring employment and the economy of the creative industries," they said.

Hartshorn and Hook said public safety would remain "the highest priority of all", meaning all the venue’s Covid-secure procedures would be under continuous review and may also be expanded.

They will also implement a "no-questions-asked exchange policy" in case the show cannot take place or individual audience members are unable to attend.

The Guild of Misrule’s production of The Great Gatsby is produced by Immersive Everywhere and Gavin Kalin Productions, with Glynis Henderson Productions, Theatr Clwyd, We Culture Connects and Damier NV.