Outside the Box Services Ltd.

Today marks one year since we went into the first COVID-19 lockdown, and what a year it has been!

We reflect today on what an incredibly difficult year it has been for many people and our thoughts are with those grieving loved ones during the pandemic.

Today we begin our plans to slowly reopen the building over the coming months, the Cinema and Theatre team will begin sound checks, lighting tests and getting all the equipment ready to go again; we launch the next steps of our Livestreaming events from 27th March and we slowly welcome back our regular hirers.

Tonight, we will be lighting up the bar, to begin brightening the light at the end of the tunnel.

With many thanks to the Arts Council England and Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport for the support and critical funding that has enabled The Old Court to survive this pandemic and to still be here for the community.

Can’t wait!

The Old Court [Artspace] in association with Outside the Box Services Ltd. and powered by Windsor & Eton Brewery presents 'The Live Sessions’.

Wildcat Willie, our Bar Manager, who will be hosting these events, tells us we have a supercool series of music events coming to your live stream via Twitch starting 27 March thru to 3 May, including some extended bank holiday bangers!

First off on 27 March we have the heavenly voice of Sophie Henderson Music singing some original material and some awesome covers to have a shuffle to. Curating the tunage before, and after Sophie's set we have a Windsor ledge Mr Richie Roome. This man has an amazing eclectic mix of all sorts – from Electronica to Northern Soul!

Then on 28 March it's the return of Jazz Vanguard - our house jazz band! If you’ve seen them before, you will know how good they are! If not you’re in for a treat….!

Finally for now on 29 March: The Phantasy Trio - three extremely talented classical musicians. "It had been a wonderful evening and what I needed now, to give it the perfect ending, was little of the Ludwig Van." Alex, A Clockwork Orange.....

Keep an eye out – more live sessions to follow.......

New article posted...

Lockdown Lift When this is all over are you ready to start trading again? Once the government announces the official end of the COVID-19 lockdown, it is likely to be a slow process to normality, following a long time of isolation and potentially many months of buildings and premises being empty. When we reach the...

National Theatre, are doing some wonderful activities online. From 7pm tonight, Frankenstein: Academy Award®-winner Danny Boyle directs Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller.

Official Frankenstein with Benedict Cumberbatch as the creature | Free National Theatre Full Play Watch Danny Boyle's monster hit Frankenstein with Benedict Cumberbatch as the creature and Jonny Lee Miller as Victor Frankenstein. Frankenstein with Benedic...

We have donated enough for the Design Technology Department at Windsor Boys' School to get another 3D Printer to use whilst they are creating these amazing face shields for the frontline workers.
If you can also donate to the cause that would be fantastic, the whole TWBS team lead by Phil Hall are doing an amazing job.
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/3dprintppe

Hello!

It’s now been 36 days since the government announced the current lockdown measures across the UK and there is no doubt that it has affected our industry like many others. With hundreds of people having to adapt the way they live and the effect on people’s personal and professional lives is crazy.

We just wanted to let you know that we are still here and still going strong. We are working with many other small businesses to create new ideas on how to keep going through these hard times. We have been giving free advice and expertise in Live streaming, podcast creating and how to set up an awesome home office or studio.

Our property maintenance and install division of the business is still going strong, installing new Networks, IT systems and Property services including PAT testing and Security installs.
We can currently undertake all of these within the government guidelines, for more information on these guidelines visit the government website.
Alongside this we’ve been giving our loyal and wonderful customers the same great service we have always provided.

Our doors are closed, but our ‘virtual’ doors are very much open for our current clients and new clients to get in contact. We have re-vamped the website into a clear and informative area for you to see what we can provide for you.

Our thoughts are with those out on the frontline keeping the country going, and we hope all our clients, family and friends are well and safe. Please do get in contact if you require any work undertaking, a friendly chat or some advice on [email protected], 02080641181, or message us on social media.

Stay Safe, and we look forward to seeing you all soon.

One week ago it still seemed feasible that our industry might weather coronavirus. Only a handful of people were murmuring that we might have to close large events and gatherings. Within one hour on Monday all our work had been postponed, cancelled or we just never heard back from the client!

It has been a very hard week, and I am sure that there is many more to come. BUT, if we all are together, follow the advice from the experts and stay positive we will bounce back.

With all of our work off, we have had time to organise our stocks, clean and service the venues. If you require any venue servicing doing whilst you're closed then we will do this, our team are been very careful and new measures have been brought in to keep us and our customers safe.

We leave you with a post that we put up with our clients and team at The Old Court Artspace in Windsor.

"In the arts world there is a tradition, whenever the theatre is empty we always leave one light shining on the stage, this is known as the ghost light. Practically a ghost light is a safety measure, enabling the navigation of the theatre to find the lighting control and avoiding accidents such as falling into the orchestra pit or tripping over set pieces.

However, there are also many superstitions surrounding the origin and purpose of ghost lights. Most importantly they signify that very soon we will be unplugging the ghost light and returning to normal.

Like many others, our industry has taken a massive hit and hundreds of ghost lights will have been placed centre stage, so this is a photo of ours. Here’s to all our staff, volunteers, customers and friends in these hard times.’ We hope to see you again very soon!"

Big logistics job into central London today for the one and only