LYCEUM Theatre chiefs plan to stage a virtual reality show while the venue remains shut until next year - although the event too could be hit by the government's new Covid rules.

Last month Crewe's Edwardian theatre postponed this year's panto production until 2021, while all performances up to January 31 next year are being rescheduled.

Some have fallen by the wayside as the pandemic continues to hit cultural venues particularly hard because of the difficulties staging shows under social distancing rules.

All but two of the Lyceum's staff are currently furloughed and Theatre Director Adam Knight says the venue has had no ticket sales income since the lockdown was imposed in March.

The theatre chief appeared via zoom at Crewe Town Council's marketing and events committee meeting to ask for a £500 contribution so arts company ThickSkin can bring an innovative VR performance to Crewe to coincide with the launch of the Lumen Festival of Lights in November 27.

He said: "We would not normally come asking for this support as our commercial activity would fund these sort of things. But we are in a position were there is no income coming in and we don't know when we will be able to open without social distancing.

"We hope it's relatively soon in the new year but we are keen we continue engagement with the audiences and the people of Crewe and that we are able to animate and contribute to the great work going on with the town's Lumen Festival."

The proposed all-day event would be staged with Covid-secure measures, potentially at Crewe's undercover market, with participants booked in for 30 to 40-minute time slots wearing special virtual reality headsets.

The theatre director describes it as a "very unique offer" which would be staged for children aged over 13 and adults and will help to complement the Lumen festival, which is being run this year by Blackpool Council's illuminations team without a lights switch-on attended by large crowds.

The Lyceum offer would be directed by Johnny Reardon who has worked previously with the venue's production of 'Toast' last November.

"This is a chance to reach out to young people who may be disadvantaged as there are 30 free places for a socially distanced, but in situ performance using VR headsets," explained the theatre chief.

"We want to continue to foster a relationship and maintain productions from that company."

The project has already attracted funding from the Arts Council and the Backstage Trust while Crewe Town Council's contribution will cover staffing, travel costs and performance safety including a regular Covid-secure clean during the event.

People would book in advance to ensure contact tracing, but clearly this week's announcement banning meetings of groups of more than six socially, bar limited exemptions, will put the event in jeopardy.

Mr Knight added: "Part of our mission is to animate the town centre throughout the pandemic crisis.

"All of our team are on furlough apart from our technical manager and our creative engagement manager, who is back part time, but behind the scenes we have been helping to support activities such as Creative Crewe during the summer."

Town councillors agreed to make the £500 contribution to help the Lyceum stage the VR event.