Would you 'approve' of theatres being open on Christmas Day?

People who are alone over Christmas might well prefer to go to the theatre rather than sit at home.

However, Covid 19 should ensure that nothing that collects a crowd is open this year.

Nor can I see that having a theatre open on a public holiday is feasible - the sceneshifters, lighting operators, dressers, box-office staff would need to be paid at least time and a half if not double rate, and it is to be hoped that the actors, singers and, or dancers would be too.

But I don't disapprove of the idea as such - not everyone regards Christmas as a religious occasion and as it is a festive one for those who are practising Christians there shouldn't really be any objection - Good Friday would be a rather different matter in my opinion.

There may be some staff who would be rattling around on their own and who wouldn't mind working.

100% no

I didn't know that they were.

I don't think that anyone except the really essential workers - police, medical staff, etc - should have to work on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. They should be well paid for it too.

My DH was a retail manager for most of his working life. When the supermarkets started opening on Boxing Day, he had to work. I always felt resentful, as I couldn't see why people needed to go to the shops when they had only been closed one day. He said that it was a waste of time, as people had already bought loads of food and were broke anyway, so a lot of them just came to mooch around.

It was also irritating when relatives used to say "Why don't you take a day off? There's more to life than money, you know." They didn't realise that he didn't have a choice and he just got his normal rate of pay. I bet that applies to a lot of people who have to work over Christmas.

As for Jews, Hindus, Muslims, etc, not being bothered about working over Christmas, my DH's family are Hindu and all the younger generations celebrate Christmas as a family holiday. A bit like all the millions of atheists and agnostics who do the same.

No everyone deserves a day off

No; I see no need for it

No. Nor boxing Day actually, there's plenty of time before and after Christmas for theatre performances.

I disagree with shops/supermarkets being open Boxing Day, no need and the staff could do with a break (I used to work retail)

Yes, I'd heartily approve.

Loads of people work on Christmas Day, and many find it's a really fun, cheerful day that flies past because of the "Christmas Spirit" everyone's feeling.

And I'd absolutely love to go to the theatre on Christmas Day, especially now that I'm widowed and my son & DIL can't manage the 10 hour journey to be with me this year - it'd give me something to really look forward to and by entertained by.

I’m sorry for your plight poshpaws but have you thought about how many people would be needed to put on a show and how many of them would be too far from home to be able to see their families, leaving them in exactly your position? It’s not the same as everyone working locally and getting to go home at the end of their shift.

If you chose to work in the arts, you know that it involves working out of hours. And each production is something the artists audition for. It isn't like being a doctor and having to stay late because a case runs over.

Artists have been desperate for work since covid closed most of it down.

I'm a teacher and because I work with non-Christian students living in non-Western counries, I'm working through Christmas. Zero days off. (NOT complaining, I'm lucky I have as much work as I do.)

My goodness I worked in both M&S and Boots some years ago and always ended up working Christmas Eve and Boxing Day because I had no family at the time. I would really like to see all shops closed for both days and everywhere closed on Christmas Day.

I had to work in Boots one year on Christmas Eve preparing for the after Christmas sale, and couldn't leave until 10 pm. By that time it was dark and snowing, I couldn't get a taxi home, DH was away and I had to walk five miles home in the snow. Working in M&S on Boxing Day was when I started to understand what people meant by rampant consumerism - I felt like everything we had sold pre Christmas Day was being returned, mountains and mountains of unwanted things. It was a long hard shift.

So sorry that was very long. Got carried away.

I dont think a show at a theatre would be anything to do with consumerism.
It would be more to to do with showing a bit of kindness to lonely people who wanted to get out for the day.
A bit like the spirit of Christmas is meant to be.

MissAdventure sorry, I went a bit off piste there, of course you're right and that wasn't what I meant. I'm going to have to get used to not talking so much and not straying from the point ? If people are happy to be at work I would have no problem with theatres being open, assuming people wanted to go.

Off piste is good.
It would have to mean people who wanted to work only did the christmas shift, I reckon - maybe a slimmed down show?
I don't suppose the audience would care too much.
I think it would mean such a lot to the lonely.

Not that you could pay me to go and watch.

I really feel for you AreWeThereYet and everyone who has to work in shops setting up the sales for Boxing Day. Is it all really necessary? What a miserable time shop workers have, and little thanks.

At restaurants it is generally staff who vintner to work Xmas day
......and they do because the pay is better and good tips....so those who don't want to work don't have to.....orif they do its a reduced shorter shift.....same in health care. With a theatre show then all staff would have to come in ..... its a shit idea

It isn't the same in health care.
You work what rotate is, depending on those in management as to whether there is room for negotiation.
Nice to see everyone so full of the spirit of christmas, though.

Shops & entertainment venues - definitely not

If they wanted to open its fine by me. Xmas evening would be nice to take children to a show, or probably Boxing Day would be better.

I think it should be at the discretion of the staff and company. I don't think anybody should be banned from working on Christmas Day or Easter Sunday but they shouldn't be forced to work either.

It is terribly sad that anyone should feel lonely at Christmas, but in all honesty , I am not sure that going to the theatre would be the best solution. Apart from filling a fee hours wouldn't it just make the feeling of being alone worse? Sitting on your own, surrounded by groups of family and friends laughing, joking and chatting together. I hate to sound controversial but wouldn't going to a church be a better option? If you checked local times you could go to several and try different denominations and sizes of church. It would be a lot cheaper and some churches will have coffee afterwards and there would be many people on their own. Even if you are not a Christian the service can be watched as a piece of theatre with music and singing and beautiful words.

One or two days off a year isn't much to ask. Nobody really wants to work and I doubt anyone would attend anyway.