Stage theater and concert venues increase their occupancy in Brazil’s São Paulo

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Governor João Doria was clear in his speech during a press conference on Wednesday, August 18, at the Bandeirantes Palace: the State of São Paulo is no longer in quarantine.

The day before, the government announced the end of time and audience capacity restrictions for cultural activities such as museums, cinemas, theaters and concerts – the latter, provided the audience is seated. Medium and large musical performances with a standing audience are still banned.

As a result, concert halls and theaters are slowly starting to increase their audience capacity, although the use of masks is mandatory and social distancing must be observed – the recommendation is for 1 meter distance between tables or groups of people, which often makes it unfeasible for a full audience.

The Sala São Paulo, which reopened to the public in late April, has been gradually increasing its capacity. First, it had 370 seats, or 25% of its capacity, then it expanded to 480 and now to 638 seats, ensuring compliance with the distance rule.

Tom Brasil, with a capacity to host up to 1,800 people, is now working with 75% of its capacity. According to its press office, the venue checks the public’s temperature at the entrance, provides hand sanitizer throughout the whole venue and complies with the distance between the tables. On Saturday, August 21, it will feature Turma do Pagode band, and two shows by Oswaldo Montenegro are scheduled for next weekend.

At Espaço das Américas, a table for 4 people or a box for 6 is available. Until November, its schedule includes shows by Thiaguinho, Ney Matogrosso, Alceu Valença, Chitãozinho & Xororó and Sorriso Maroto.

Blue Note São Paulo plans to reopen on October 1, International Music Day, with a concert by mandolin player Hamilton de Holanda. Toquinho, João Donato, Geraldo Azevedo and Paula Lima will be featured later. Tables for 2, 4 or 6 seats for groups will be available. Of the former 336 seats now 229 will be available, about 60%.

Sesc São Paulo, which in normal times used to host dozens of concerts in its facilities, especially on weekends, still has no date set for the resumption of musical shows with the presence of the public. The same is true for Casa Natura Musical.

For theaters the situation is more complex, because in order to comply with social distancing, the use of their full capacity in not possible. “To have over 50% occupancy, the municipal law that defines the distance would need to change,” says Claudia Hamra, administrator of Teatro Faap, which should reopen in October, with Marisa Orth in the play Bárbara, inspired in the book A Saideira, by Bárbara Gancia.

The Sesi Theater (premiering the play Tectônica on September 10) and the São Paulo Cultural Center (with O Arquiteto e o Imperador da Assíria on September 24) also have their programming set. Theaters such as Aliança Francesa (featuring the play Um Picasso) only sell tickets online to prevent lines at the venue. And if some are still waiting for the situation to be defined before reopening (such as Vivo and Eva Herz), others are getting ready to host shows.

This is the case of Teatro Liberdade, which will premiere Cinderella, the Musical on September 2. Rehearsals have the participation of 28 people, tested every week for Covid. Santander, also on September 2, will resume the season interrupted last year of Summer – the Donna Summer Musical.

“We are confident in vaccination for the public to return,” says Celia Forte, Selma Morente’s partner in a production company, with premieres for September and October. “Since the theater has marked seats, it is safer. We even thought about releasing access only to vaccinated people, but the control at the entrance and during the show will be enough.”

For infectious disease physician Giovanna Sapienza, from Santa Isabel Hospital and Meniá Prevention Center, cultural activities with large numbers of people in the same environment are still dangerous.

“Releasing 100% of capacity is not safe. Opening these venues now, with the Delta variant in circulation is risky. We don’t know what we will reap in a few weeks. On the other hand, I understand that it is a difficult decision by the government, there is pressure from the cultural sector, people want to go back to normal life”, the doctor says.