With the COVID-19 coronavirus forcing many of Australia’s performing arts companies to cancel their shows, ticket holders are being asked to donate their refunds or to exchange their tickets to a later event where possible. The global pandemic is an unprecedented crisis for the arts industry and its workers, many of whom are casuals or sole traders, and is expected to have an enormous economic impact.

Joan Sutherland Theatre

Live Performance Australia estimates that the crisis may cost the industry more than half a billion dollars and thousands of jobs, and has called for an immediate government rescue package.

“Many of our smaller- to medium-sized companies simply do not have the financial resources to survive an extended shutdown period,” said Chief Executive Evelyn Richardson. “They may be lost to the industry forever.”

In addition to the cancellations announced on Monday, Sydney Dance Company has had to call off its first program of the year, Bonachela / Forsythe; Sydney Theatre Company has been forced to cancel all remaining performances of No Pay? No Way! at the Sydney Opera House, as well as its planned season at Parramatta; Tasmania’s Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) has announced...