Monmouth’s Savoy Theatre will be lit up red tonight as part of a global campaign highlighting the plight of events venues devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Local company Monnow Marquees Limited will be lighting up the theatre from 6pm to 8pm to join in the #WeMakeEvents campaign.

Yesterday a silent demonstration took place outside Parliament in London when employees from the events industry took part to demand financial support for freelancers, employees and business owners who continue to be affected by the shutdown of events.

And today (Wednesday, September 30), the Global Action Day will see venues across the globe, as the sun sets, from New Zealand to the Faroe Islands, and across the UK will pass the baton across time zones while staging impressive art installations and lighting projections.

Iconic buildings and monuments are highlighting the #LightItInRed campaign when thousands of powerful shafts of light representing the industry’s workforce and projections of cancelled concerts on the outside of venues, and much more!

There are many ways local residents can get involved. You can share the campaign’s social media updates, post your best pictures, light your building red, lend a helping hand during your local event, or even host your own!

The Savoy will be lit up red in the same week it celebrates hitting its £10,000 crowdfunding appeal so it can survive the winter.

It opened its doors for the first time in six months on Monday for the world premiere live-stream screening of David Attenborough: A Life on our Planet.

Several live on stage streamed events and film showings have been lined up over the next few weeks, including a repeat of the naturalist’s film about his life and the devastating changes he has seen, though attendance will be limited to allow social distancing and to meet other Covid requirements.

Savoy director Chris Ryde said: “It’s great to be open again after such a long time, although live shows and normal cinema screenings are still unavailable to us.

“Obviously, we can’t have too many in, as we have to follow all the guidelines. I’m pleased that we are back in business, but a bit nervous about the logistics of it. We want to do things right.

“Our staff will seat people safely in the auditorium, and theatregoers will have to wear a mask for the duration of the screening, so it’s difficult, but it’s a start.

“It’s not easy for us, but people have told us they can’t wait to come back to the Savoy.

“So we’re trying to strike a happy medium, where despite the problems we can still give people an enjoyable night out.”

Chris added: “We had hoped to be screening feature films by now, but every time the distributors announce the release of a new blockbuster film, it gets shelved, and we are still waiting.

“Staff are still on furlough until the end of October, but we need cinema films to start very soon.

“And we’re still in the same position with being unable to put on live shows.”

But on the Crowdfunding Savoy appeal reaching the £10,000 mark in just two weeks, Chris said: “We’re really delighted, and we’ve got some Gift Aid on top of that.

“It’s been a fantastic response and some of the comments have been really heart-warming.

“The appeal is still open for a few more weeks, and we’d really love to get to the £20,000 mark, which is our over-reach target.

“So if anyone wants to support us to ensure the Savoy makes it through the next few months, please do.”

Without the income from such sell-out shows, the future of the much-loved theatre is still in the balance.

Theatre patrons Sir Tony Robinson, Griff Rhys Jones, Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson and stargazer Russell Grant have all pledged their support to the historic Grade II-listed venue, with Baldrick actor Sir Tony saying: “I’m delighted to support the Savoy’s cunning Crowdfunding plan, and urge everyone to get behind it.”

As well as the David Attenborough: A Life on our Planet film streaming, which was followed by a Q&A on Monday night, and will be repeated on Saturday afternoon (October 3) at 3pm, the Savoy will be streaming a live on stage Evening in with Francis Rossi on Thursday, October 8, at 6.30pm, when the Quo legend will be talking about his life and you can order a signed copy of his new autobiography.

Sunday, October 11, at 3pm sees a screening of Three Tenors: Voices for Eternity, a documentary on the classic Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and Luciano Pavarotti concert 30 years ago, while the long-awaited Michael Ball and Alfie Boe: Back Together

To support the Savoy appeal go to https://bit.ly/2ZjUKN4