Hello My Friends

I hope you are all keeping safe and well.

2020 is a year that none of us will forget and I would never have believed that I’d be banned by the Government from performing in front of a live audience for an unbelievable seven months and counting.

This is an ever changing situation and this page is updated almost everyday.

In early September things seemed to be heading in the right direction for live performances with my union ‘Equity’ releasing this statement on September 6th 2020;

“Equity have been informed that the government intends to re-open live performance without the need for social distancing, masks and limited audiences – including theatre, variety and sport – from the 1st November 2020”

Shortly after this statement was released, the Government announced that this reopening would be dependant on a new trial called “Operation Moonshot”, which would allow audience members to be tested within 30 minutes before attending a live performance.

However, on the 24th of September 2020 this trial was postponed for up to six months.

You maybe aware that “Tour Guides” have been operating throughout the Summer with restrictions of no more than six people, social distancing and masks.

The reason why “Tour Guides” can operate and I can’t is because I am a “Professional Actor” and the rules are different for actors. This is explained by the Government Department of digital, culture, media and sport.

“The reason why there is a difference is that Actors/Performers and Musicians/Singers can potentially release an aerosol transmission of COVID 19 between themselves and the audience and vice versa – and tour guides, because they are not performing, don’t”

Currently Actors and Performances  that move from one location to another are not allowed to take place.

Only fully seated, masked, socially distanced limited audiences are currently being trialled.

All of Flecky Bennett Productions are pieces of promenade theatre which can include singing, screaming, shouting, dancing, audience participation, music, shared props and lighting/special effects, which take place either indoors or outdoors depending on the performance.

Here at Flecky Bennett Productions the health and well-being of our audiences are of the utmost importance. This will never change. Therefore, we made the difficult decision to postpone every performance since 13th March 2020.

We are monitoring the situation on a daily basis. This is the most up to date information regarding the COVID pandemic;

As of the 23rd of October 2020 there is a TIER 3 local lockdown being implemented throughout all areas of Manchester and most of the Northwest and beyond.

New measures have now been implemented that include

You must not meet in a group more than six, and you must follow social distancing rules.

Meeting in larger groups is against the law, and you can be fined up to £6,400.

And all venues that don’t serve substantial meals are closed until further notice and those that are serving food must be closed by 10pm until further notice. The latest R rating is 1.2 to 1.4 & Manchester has currently the highest infection rate in the country, and Europe.

Businesses which do not comply with the latest Government laws can be find up to £10.000

All of the above affects our performances and here is a breakdown of how exactly.

The Original Manchester Ghost Walk

The Saturday Night Manchester Ghost Walk

The Ancoats Ghost Walk

The Stockport Ghost Walk

The Bolton Ghost Walk

The Highgate Ghost & Vampire Walk

The Altrincham Ghost Walk*

These performances cannot go ahead because live performances that move from one location to another (inside or out) are currently banned.

UPDATE*Mort Subite where the Altincham Ghost Walk ends

will be closed from Friday 23rd of October until further notice because of TIER 3 restrictions

The Chorlton Ghost Walk

Cannot go ahead because live performances that move from one location to another (inside or out) are currently banned. Also in this performance a haunted room is used for a Ouija Board session. This room is very small and cannot allow for social distancing measures.

UPDATE

The Lead Station where the haunted room is located can not let members of the public in without having a substantial meal and no mixing of different households from Friday 23rd of October until further notice because of TIER 3 restrictions

The Didsbury Ghost Walk

Cannot go ahead because live performances that move from one location to another (inside or out) are currently banned. Also this performance uses the grounds of The Didsbury Old Parsonage which is currently closed due to COVID.

The Tavern of the Dead

Cannot go ahead because live performances that move from one location to another (inside or out) are currently banned. Also this performance takes place in a haunted room. This room is very small and cannot allow for social distancing measures.

UPDATE-

The Shakespeare Inn will be closed from Friday 23rd of October until further notice because of TIER 3 restrictions

Stockport Air Raid Shelter Experience 

Cannot go ahead because live performances that move from one location to another (inside or out) are currently banned.

The Stockport Air Raid Shelters have re-opened by Stockport Council to the public with these regulations;

Only open three daytimes per week and closed by 5pm

Only 6 members of the same family can enter.

Track and trace details will be required for each family member.

Limited contact with surfaces and no audio guides.

All visitors must wear a face covering inside at all times.

Smaller rooms and confined spaces have been closed.

Social distancing and one way system now in operation.

Due to social distancing, guided tours and performances are not allowed.

The Bramall Hall Experience 

Cannot go ahead because live performances that move from one location to another (inside or out) are currently banned. 

Bramall Hall has re-opened by Stockport Council to the public with these regulations;

Only open three daytimes per week and closed by 5pm

Only 6 members of the same family can enter.

Track and trace details will be required for each family member.

Limited contact with surfaces and no audio guides.

All visitors must wear a face covering inside at all times.

Smaller rooms and confined spaces have been closed.

Social distancing and one way system now in operation.

Due to social distancing, guided tours and performances are not allowed.

Stockport’s Staircase House Experience 

Cannot go ahead because live performances that move from one location to another (inside or out) are currently banned. 

The house is still currently closed because of COVID 

The Ordsall Hall Experience 

Cannot go ahead because live performances that move from one location to another (inside or out) are currently banned. 

In regards to Ordsall Hall, they are currently piloting a scheme allowing  limited day time tours for up to 6 persons from the same family/bubble into limited rooms only and masks are compulsory.

The Manchester River Cruise Experience 

In regards to The Manchester River Cruise Experience. The Manchester River Cruise company is until further notice not operating any of their tours or events.

Apart from live performances with massive restrictions being in place, Flecky Bennett Productions believe that it is our duty to not compromise the health of our audiences by encouraging the congregation of mixed households.

Flecky Bennett Productions do not want to change any aspect of our award winning performances because this would mean short changing our loyal audiences.

For those who have tickets for the many postponed performances since March 13th 2020…Don’t worry, your tickets will remain valid for rescheduled public performance dates and any private bookings will also be rescheduled with deposits carrying over.

All gift vouchers will be accepted even if they have expired.

Eventbrite have a thorough record of every ticket sale. Once we are able to restart we will go through the postponed performances in date order and contact each ticket holder to offer a series of rescheduled dates that you will be able to choose from.

We guarantee that no one will lose their ticket value or deposit value for private performances

Thank you for your loyalty, patience and understanding. We will get through this tough time together.

And if your missing your Flecky Fix please check out the Facebook live page.

We hope you’re all keeping well and really look forward to seeing you again as soon as possible.

Flecky & Emma