By Saoirse Anton

Julie Andrews once said that “the arts make a bridge across this world in ways that nothing else can,” and at this moment, almost a year into the Covid-19 pandemic that has changed our usual way of life immeasurably, that bridge seems more important than ever.

As humans, we need a sense of community, and during the pandemic that sense of connection to other people can be difficult to grasp as we communicate solely through video calls, phone conversations, emails, texts, and perhaps the odd letter or two. The easy connections to the people around us aren’t available while we can’t go for a coffee, pop round to say hello, gather for book-clubs, play sports, go to the theatre…

There is something vitally human in these acts of gathering, of sharing space and time with other people, linked by a common experience. A 2017 study led by researchers from University College London even showed that an audience’s heartbeats will synchronise as they sit watching a show together.

Until we can gather together again in person, it’s important to find glimpses of connection where we can. So as head into another month of Level 5 lockdown, here are a few ideas for how to do just that.

Make a date with a play

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, and no tables for two or romantic film screenings on the horizon, why not make a date with a play in your own sitting room? While it’s a different experience to going out to see a show, watching a live streamed production can help to give you the sense of being part of a collective audience. I watched Landmark Production’s live stream of Happy Days from the Olympia Theatre recently, and though I was sitting in an armchair alone in my sitting room with a cup of tea, the chat in advance and at the interval on Twitter, and the calls of “The performance will begin in 3 minutes, please take your seats,” brought back an echo of finding your way to your seat, in-person interval chats, and post-show discussions over drinks. With a variety of options at your fingertips, from Sonya Kelly’s new play Once Upon A Bridge premiering in a live-stream from Druid’s Mick Lally Theatre, to DoonShee’s online performance of Katty Barry, Queen of the Coal Quay, there is something for everyone. So settle in, dim the lights, pour a glass of wine and enjoy the show.

Send your favourite lines from a play or musical to a friend.

Pull out your coloured pencils, your prettiest pen and your nicest notepaper and send a friend a letter with your favourite quote from a play, some beautiful song lyrics or a Shakespearean sonnet. Go all out – decorate it with drawings, stickers, glitter. Send them something that will brighten their day. And you don’t even have to pay postage if you use one of An Post’s lovely free postage postcards!

Read aloud

We might not be able to sit in a bookshop or theatre and listen to our favourite authors reading from their latest books, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy hearing literature read out loud. Whether it’s passages from your current book, a memorable poem, a dramatic monologue, or even a table read of your favourite episode of Friends, sit down with your family, partner or housemates, or a distant friend on zoom, and read aloud to each other.

Get Creative

You may have exhausted your appetite for Zoom quizzes, but that’s not your only option. Have you tried Zoom karaoke? Why not get some friends together and spend an evening belting out some musical numbers like you’re taking to the stage on Broadway? Singing is proven to improve your health, and there’s no faster way to bring a group of people together than a sing-along. And if things get a little too far off key, never fear…the ‘mute’ button is always an option!

Or if singing isn’t your thing, have you tried an online dance class? Though studios are closed at the moment, many dance companies and teachers are running online classes, both live and recorded. So grab your housemates or co-ordinate with friends who you can’t see in person and attend a virtual dance class together.

Whichever of these ideas you choose to do, or if you do something else entirely, always remember the importance of community. As Goethe writes, “The world is so empty if one thinks only of mountains, rivers & cities; but to know someone who thinks & feels with us, & who, though distant, is close to us in spirit, this makes the earth for us an inhabited garden.” Though separated physically, the way we will get through this pandemic is by drawing together in whatever ways we can. Pick up the phone, write a letter, catch up with a friend. Whatever you do, stay connected.