Drayton Entertainment CEO and Artistic Director Alex Mustakas says they lost 100-per cent of their revenue overnight like most arts organizations have.

He tells 570 NEWS it has hit them hard.  “30 years ago our budget was about $99,000, this year it’s about $12.5 million. The losses are huge, obviously.”

Mustakas says their 20 productions were cancelled over the last six months because of the pandemic and 300 contracts have been cancelled.

He says they have “scaled down to the absolute minimum”.  

Mustakas says 30 years ago they started up a stabilization fund, and that’s what’s helping them through at the moment.

Mustakas says they really can’t start up again until it’s safe to do so.

“Unfortunately, I really can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel yet.”

He says the support is there from the community and their patrons.

He says theatre will continue, calling it important to a balanced community. He says this has also been a big hit to the tourism sector.