Some Adelaide Van Gogh Alive sessions cancelled in line with latest Covid-19 restrictions

The Van Gogh Alive exhibition has taken Adelaide by storm, but in line with latest Covid-19 venue capacity restrictions, producers have been forced to cancel some sessions.

Some sessions have been cancelled, but the show will go on for the popular Van Gogh Alive exhibition at The Grand Pavilion in North Adelaide, amid the latest Covid-19 venue density restrictions.

Sessions were held at half-hour intervals, with a capacity of 200 patrons per session.

Exhibition producer Andrew Kaye said the exhibition runs on a loop, and patrons often walk multiple laps of the production.

“There is no limit on their time inside the experience, because there’s four immersive rooms and then there’s essentially four galleries,” Mr Kay said.

He said some have stayed for up to four hours.

“People sometimes stay for two loops, and because there’s the cafe … people sometimes stay for three to four hours.”

Among a raft of changes to the state’s Covid restrictions following growing outbreaks on the eastern seaboard, indoor venues have been reduced to 50 per cent capacity.

Some Van Gogh Alive sessions have been cancelled over the weekend. Picture: (c) RB-Create

In line with the restrictions, exhibition producers have cancelled half-hourly sessions from Friday to Monday, and will instead run sessions with a one-and-a-half hour gap between them.

Extending the gap from 30 minutes between sessions to 90 minutes will allow for adequate social distancing, Mr Kay said.

“We just want it to be a comfortable experience for our customers,” he said.

From Tuesday, half-hourly sessions will return, with lower capacities.

Those who had booked for the cancelled sessions were issued refunds and encouraged to book at alternate times.

“We regret obviously, greatly, the inconvenience to our customers but when they come, we want them to have a great experience within the building,” Mr Kay added.

He said demand for the show had been unprecedented.

“The demand for this show has been overwhelming.

“I’ve been producing for 40 years now, and I’ve never seen ticket sales like it.”

Van Gogh Alive - The Experience, by Grande Experiences. Picture: (c) RB-Create

Meanwhile, The Adelaide Zoo has had to cancel its Light Creatures event on Thursday and Friday evening due to the severe weather.

Part of Illuminate Adelaide, the event features various fake animals and lanterns lit up for night visits on the grounds.

“While Light Creatures is a winter-friendly event and capable of withstanding most weather types the predicted high wind speeds are unsuitable for the lanterns. In the interests of everyone’s safety and the continuation of the event, we have made the difficult decision to cancel tonight and tomorrow’s sessions,” Zoos SA chief executive Elaine Bensted said.

The Zoo's Light Creatures show, as part of Illuminate Adelaide, has been cancelled for two days due to severe weather. Pictures: Zoos SA