Speaking on this, Adam Kay said in a statement: “It’s extremely heartening that Theatreland is starting to gear up again. The people you see on stage are the very tip of the theatre iceberg – behind the scenes are hundreds of hard-working staff – from electricians to stage managers to lighting techs to box office to carpenters – huge numbers of whom fell between the gaps of government support.”

This lack of support is something that’s made sceptics of some industry professionals when it comes to Dowden’s claims he will bring theatre back for Christmas.

Dowden’s article has been criticised by industry publications such as The Stage, which points out that Dowden’s article gives “no mention of how the government is going to help address the huge stumbling block of insurance, or what it is going to do to encourage people back on to public transport – something that is going to be absolutely crucial to getting the West End back on its feet. And, of course, there is still no help for the huge number of freelancers in theatre who currently find themselves without work.”

Speaking to Stylist.co.uk Milly Summer, a production executive who has worked on shows such as Les Misérables, School of Rock and Heathers in London and New York, explains why this kind-of-announcement is frustrating for those who work, and are struggling to hold on to their jobs, in theatre.

“Thousands of people working in theatre have been unemployed since March – the lights along Shaftesbury Avenue might still be on, but for us, the feeling overall is still very dark. Dowden has called his project ‘Operation Sleeping Beauty’ which says it all for me. This name is not only inane, it’s frankly offensive; this industry isn’t sleeping, it’s battling for survival – and with very little help from the government,” she says.

She continues to explain that the government’s idea of restoring the magic of Christmas won’t work if the industry doesn’t get the financial aid it needs which, as Summer says, “there will be no theatre if we don’t get support.”

Theatres opening for Christmas: shows you can attend this autumn in London