Peterborough theatre pulls plug on panto season due to ongoing Covid-19 crisis

With the current uncertainty over social distancing and other covid compliant regulations in theatres, the decision has been taken today to postpone this year’s production - which would have been Aladdin.

Prime Pantomimes (a subsiduary of Selladoor Worldwide which operates New Theatre) is postponing their 2020 pantomime season until 2021. This decision has been made following the recent government announcement that it will not be possible to clarify guidelines for indoor performances until November.

The Aladdin performances will now be delayed until Christmas 2021.

Selladoor have, however, successfully re-opened the doors at the theatre this summer with the launch of Cinema 100 @ New Theatre Peterborough, presenting a brilliant summer programme of film screenings, with social distancing measures in place.

This weekend the venue is showing 1917, Dora And The Lost City Of Gold, Book Club, The Addams Family and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

David Hutchinson CEO of Selladoor worldwide said: “It is with huge disappointment that we have made the difficult decision to postpone our pantomime season for 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 Crisis. At this time, without guidance on when theatres will be able to fully reopen – we can’t further risk the business.

Instead we are focusing on reimagining our business plan and strategising for the future in order for us to weather the next stage of this crisis. We are exploring options for bridging this period with imaginative

programming and engagement work to ensure we maintain the crucial connection between our audiences and artists with cinema screenings at the New Theatre in Peterborough along with localised fundraising

campaigns.”

David added: “The postponement of pantomime means that now, more than ever, we need you to continue to support the arts and your local venues.”

The theatre asks that customers do not attempt to contact the Box Office as there are no staff onsite at this time to facilitate calls. All customers who had purchased or reserved pantomime tickets will be contacted directly with the option to transfer to the 2021 pantomime performances, add credit to their account, or obtain a full refund. There is also the option to donate ticket money to the theatre to help with

the upkeep during this challenging time.

Stuart Shanks – Head of Venues for Selladoor - added: “The support we have had from our local communities throughout this crisis has been amazing and we hope you can continue this support into next year. All tickets for this year’s pantomime season are transferrable to 2021 and we would ask you to consider this option to help enable us to come back bigger and stronger.”