Panto 'unlikely to take place' says Harrogate Theatre

But Harrogate Theatre is not giving up easily and still hopes to revive one of the town's best-loved annual events, which usually runs from late November to late January, in some limited form.

Despite the recent success of its emergency appeal and winning a sizable Arts Council grant, Harrogate Theatre says planning to launch new productions such as Cinderalla without any certainty on what the rules of social distancing are likely to be for the rest of 2020 would be to jeopardise the entire future of the town's precious arts hub.

As well as social distancing rules which mean the current capacity at Harrogate Theatre would have to be cut to a non-financially viable level of just 20 per cent, reports of potential new ‘spikes’ in the virus and the threat of further local and national lock downs would make the idea of planning ahead on the panto a massive gamble.

The theatre's chief executive David Bown, who co-writes the highly successful panto each year, said Harrogate Theatre was not alone in the heart-breaking and impossible dilemma it faced over panto season and the crucial revenue it generates in a national situation which was still so fluid and unpredictable.

Mr Bown said: "Theatres all around the country are having to make difficult decisions at the moment.

"We witnessed statements from Sheffield and York last week announcing a pause in activity until 2021 that will allow them to safeguard their theatres.

"There have been similar statements from Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and London. Harrogate is no different from any where else.

"The business model that props up the industry is a busy and buoyant Christmas show at almost 100% capacity. If any form of distancing is implemented, then pantomimes are not viable. If the pantomime is not viable then they theatre has to contemplate strategies for survival until it is. "

Mr Bown said he could not over-emphasise how grateful Harrogate Theatre was for the fantastic public support for its emergency fundraising appeal, which had now passed the £100,000 mark, and the £395,000 grant from the Arts Council.

These amazing acts of generosity ensured the current survival of Harrogate Theatre, which closed its doors at the start of lockdown.

But, he added, the sums of money involved would still only see the theatre safely through the next few months.

And, so far, there had been no details as to who would benefit from the Government's £1.57 billion government relief package for arts, culture and heritage in the UK - or when.

Mr Bown said: "The reality is, there is no change to our position as a result of the funds we have been grateful to receive.

"Mass gatherings and the putting on of live theatre is still not viable.

"Everyone has been asking me "what about the pantomime this year?"

"It is very difficult currently in theatre to make plans for the future when the political situation around COVID 19 is so fluid.

"There is still no clear guidance of how live performance can realistically take place and be financially viable.

"If we are unable to budget with financial clarity for or certainty of social restrictions due to the virus then it would be reckless to go ahead with it.

"What is important is survival of the theatre and the safety of our audiences and staff.

"All would be severely jeopardised to plan to go ahead with the panto.

"If we green light spending for a show that could be potentially cancelled, then we could witness financial disaster."

How to support Harrogate Theatre

Donate to the Emergency Appeal via www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk;

Join Harrogate Theatre’s membership scheme;

Buy tickets for future shows - or don’t claim a refund on tickets for cancelled shows.

'It's time to get back on buses' say Harrogate passengers in new poll

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.