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September 22nd, 2020 
Awake Goy 
The English National Opera is more accustomed to performing in packed 2,000-seater theatres, rather than car parks.
But as COVID-19 restrictions put a halt to traditional indoor performances, the almost 90-year-old opera company is embracing an open-air alternative – the drive-in.
ENO, as it’s known, performed its first drive-in opera on Friday (September 18, 2020) evening, a performance of Puccini’s tragic romance La Bohème.
Even the performance was tailored to follow virus guidelines, including a shortened, 90-minute version to avoid an intermission.
Cast members maintain social distancing throughout, except for one exception – two cast members are romantically involved, so are allowed to touch each other and kiss onstage.
Organisers hope such drive-in style performances will not become the norm, but they do offer hope to an industry hit hard by the virus outbreak.
For both performers and audience members, it’s the first experience of live opera in months.
“ENO Drive & Live” is set to run outdoors at London’s Alexandra Palace until September 27.
ENO plans to reopen its London Coliseum venue to socially distanced audiences on November 7 for special performances of Mozart’s Requiem.
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