The Show Must Go On?

‘The show must go on’ is a well-used term in the theatrical world.

Both the saying and the principle of ‘the show must go on’ originated in the 19th century. The idea being that if a performer was injured or a live animal escaped the circus, the rest of the performers were to continue as normal out of respect for the paying patrons. One feels that in truth it had much to do with the performers needing the show to go on or they would not get paid, and there would be no food on the table for them or the circus animals. So, regardless of what may have happened, the show that had been planned still had to be staged for the waiting, and importantly paying patrons.

In 2020 when the Covid 19 Pandemic hit we saw the theatres in the West End of London and on Broadway in New York close their doors. In fact theatres across the globe shut up shop. Actors, directors, musicians, set designers, audio technicians and box office staff all found themselves out of work. In the music industry it was the same, scheduled tours by bands were put on hold, some were completely cancelled and the tours that had started came to an abrupt end. The show did not go on.

Yet sport across the globe did go on.

Some may say that this shows that sport is the modern day circus. That sport is now truly a major part of the entertainment industry. Yet one has to wonder why and how sport has been able to continue in many countries where the theatres remain closed and live concerts are still a long way off.

Most will tell you that it all comes down to money.

Yes, we were all told that we must find a way for sport to continue, because it would be good for everyone’s mental health, but surely the same could be said of dance? The truth is when it comes to mental health it is proven that physical exercise is one of the best things to help you through those dark times. Apart from some other scientific reasons this is the case because improvements in mood are believed to be caused by the exercise-induced increase in blood circulation to the brain. So how does the return of professional sport help the average person? Surely trying to find a way that they can exercise safely is far more important that the resumption of a professional competition, which they will usually be stationary when watching?

It has been interesting to observe over the past few weeks how many fans and members of the public are beginning to become more vocal in relation to the top sports competitions continuing. As everyone knows money is the key.

Televisions stations have paid millions, and in some cases billions to broadcast live sport. They will not pay up those sums of money if sport is not being played. Teams and clubs have agreed to pay their players above the odds due to the sums of money coming into the game from television. They also rely on money from sponsors who want to be onboard so that their brand can be seen on television; they benefit from the subliminal messaging during a game. So the clubs need the games to go ahead or they will be hit from two sides financially. For them there is no question the show must go on! Without the show they risk disappearing completely.

Some have started to realise just how important the fans are, not just in terms of creating an atmosphere that makes the games attractive, but also in relation to giving their team a home ground advantage. Without those home fans dominating the stadium their teams have not been quite as unbeatable at home as they were in the past; they are also not getting as many ‘home-ground decisions.’ (These are not the result of biased officiating, but the unconscious effect a crowd can have on an official).

Many clubs were quite happy to play with no fans as long as they played, as playing guaranteed them some income. Income that they can pass on to their highly paid stars.

Yet now in many sports it is those stars who are letting the clubs and sport in general down. This is where there has been a shift in the public perception over the past three weeks. While the general public are in lockdown around the world and many worrying as to where income is going to come from to pay the bills and put food on the table, the highly paid sports stars who have been given the opportunity to continue playing and earning a living have abused the conditions under which they have agreed to operate.

It has not been one isolated incident in one country where sports stars have broken the isolation restrictions placed on them as a condition of their being allowed to continue to compete. There have been a number of incidents across the globe over the Christmas and New Year period. Yet what are the consequences of these breaches? So far all we hear are apologies and excuses that they did not understand the conditions of the restrictions. The general population is simply not buying this.

Elite athletes on a daily basis need to be cautious when it comes to what they eat or drink for fear it could contain a banned substance. They are more social media savvy than most as this is all part of their marketable image. So surely comprehending the rules under which you are being allowed to continue to compete should be straightforward by comparison?

As we have witnessed across the world true leadership is in short supply today, especially in times of trouble. Once again in these situations we are seeing more weak leadership. Or leadership that is blinded by the mighty dollar.

In the English Football League they are now upping the Covid-19 tests with over 40 games postponed in the last month due to teams having staff and players testing positive. The EFL, unlike the Premier League, did not test its players regularly but relied on them reporting symptoms and on contact tracing. The reason that they have not introduced more regular mandatory coronavirus testing comes down to money. As if conducted twice-weekly the tests would cost each club approximately UKL10,000 per week. Which begs the question should the competition have gone ahead without appropriate testing? Once again money is the issue. Not just the cost of testing, but the games being postponed. Many are now questioning whether they will now manage to complete the season in 2021?

Yet the message from the Prime Minister of Britain, Boris Johnson was clear overnight as he placed the nation in its third national lockdown. Football would continue. This weekend’s FA Cup fixtures will be exempt from the national lockdown. Yet all sport at grassroots and club levels will be stopped until further notice. Even the games played by the academies attached to the professional clubs have been suspended.

Many will cheer this news as during lockdown they will have something to watch. Although depending on whom you support it may not do much for your mental health! However if players continue to break the restrictions placed on them what should the consequences be? Who should hand out the penalty? As clearly the clubs and the competitions are not wanting to upset the players who bring them in money, and have been quite content to slap them on the wrist and accept a weak apology and a plea of ignorance. The issue of course is far more complicated than it appears on face value. Many governments and police forces can do nothing. Those who declared a state of emergency are in a far stronger position as by doing that they in many incidents gave more power to the police who can take action against those who do not adhere to regulations.

What needs to be considered is if one of these players ignores restrictions, contracts a strain of the virus and then infects an innocent work colleague. What happens if that colleague then passes away? Would they face manslaughter charges?

Top level sport is big business today, of that there can be no doubt. However is it right that sport has taken ‘the show must go’ on approach, especially when other areas of the entertainment industry have shut down? Clearly sport has been given dispensation to continue where as the arts and music have not, but if those afforded that privilege cannot abide by the rules should that privilege be taken away? If the people running the clubs and sport do not have the strength of character to protect the integrity of the sport then should Governments step in? No doubt the politicians will be weighing up whether this will win them votes or lose them votes. Whatever happened to doing what is right?

(This writer derives his main income from sport, but feels that the current situation is not right).