It is with deep sadness that Sadler’s Wells has entered a consultation process with our permanent and fixed term staff, following the devastating impact of the coronavirus crisis on our operations, the continued closure of our theatres and ongoing uncertainty about when we may be able to reopen fully.
During this period, Sadler’s Wells will consult with all permanent and fixed term staff on proposed organisational change and efficiency measures. These proposals could put 51 permanent or fixed term roles at risk of redundancy or layoff, which represents 26% of our permanent and fixed term workforce. This is in addition to other measures we have and are taking to reduce cost in this time.
This process will be very difficult for all members of the Sadler’s Wells community. The decision to enter a consultation process has been incredibly hard to make, and one which the organisation has done all it can to avoid.
There has been a string of similar announcements in recent weeks - Northampton's leading venue Royal & Derngate put out a similar announcement yesterday. Our theatres are in a desperate dance to save themselves from collapsing entirely, sacrificing jobs and the resilience and talent that will enable the creative and commercial recovery that still seems out of sight beyond the horizon.
But Sadler's Wells is personal.
I have no connection with Sadler's Wells beyond an emotional one as someone who loves dance and who never feels more alive than when travelling to London to go to Sadler's Wells to see some amazing dance - and I go there for the things I must see, that I am unlikely to get the opportunity to see otherwise. I have wasted far too many years thinking that going to see shows in London isn't practical but recently have become all too aware that time was running out . I didn't realise there was less time than I thought as I now helplessly witness my entire cultural existence faced with the threat of being wiped out entirely. But I am also fearful for my friends - and those I do not know but admire beyond words - who work in dance: dancers, choreographers, designers, musicians, all the 'invisible' army (and sometimes it's a tiny army) of people who make dance and every other kind of theatre happen.
I'm sure Sadler's Wells will survive - just as I am sure that some theatres will not - but the cost is terrible and painful to endure.
