Media & Press

Amid the latest spate of lockdowns across the country, a new video created by a Sydney-based entertainer brings home the devastating impact of COVID-19 on members of the arts community – from classical musicians to comedians, actors and magicians.

James Bustar – whose website describes him as “Australia’s Madman of Comedy and Juggling” – says he made the video because he felt the sector was being overlooked, and he hopes it will help raise awareness of how serious the situation had become for many artists.

Entertainer James Bustar has compiled a heart-rending video in which members of the arts community tell of the devastation of the pandemic on lives and livelihoods and the need for further government income support to be extended to the arts.

In the emotion-charged 10-minute video, prominent artists from a wide range of disciplines speak of the loneliness and despair combined with deepening concern that the arts are being overlooked.

The cruise line industry has re-started on most other parts of the world but in Australia the docks are still closed. Before the pandemic, Australia had permanent year-round ships as