OH NO IT ISN’T CITY PANTO IS OFF – AGAIN
FESTIVE SHOW FALLS VICTIM TO COVID FOR THE SECOND TIME DUE TO TIER 3 STATUS
BRISTOL’S back-up Christmas pantomime has been cancelled due to coronavirus concerns. Robin Hood was due to entertain socially-distanced audiences at Bristol Hippodrome later this month, a couple of days after the tier system is due to be reviewed.
However, the theatre announced yesterday that the much-loved tradition will not be going ahead this year, regardless of whether or not it is allowed to.
It has been postponed until 2021. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the original pantomime due to take place there this season, had already been moved to Christmas 2021.
A post on the theatre’s social media pages read: “With the announcement that Bristol is moving to Tier 3 restrictions that require the closure of indoor entertainment venues, we’ve taken the decision with our partners at Qdos Entertainment to postpone our socially-distanced production of Robin Hood to February.
“We can’t wait to welcome this spectacular production to our venue and sprinkle 2021 with some festive magic!
“Once the new dates have been finalised we will contact you with all the new details.
“Thank you Bristol.”
The theatre had announced in October that it would be staging the socially-distanced production.
It came several weeks after it confirmed that its Snow White and the
Seven Dwarfs panto, starring John Barrowman, could not go ahead because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Robin Hood was due to run between Friday, December 18 and Sunday, January 10, promising “star casting and show-stopping songs”.
Tier 3 restrictions begin in Bristol today and the Government will hold a review in two weeks, considering whether it is safe to downgrade to a less strict tier or not.
This review is scheduled for Wednesday, December 16, which would be cutting it fine even if Tier 3 in Bristol was lifted.
Venues in Tier 1 and Tier 2 are able to hold live performances, with social distancing and other precautions in place.
Robin Hood would have been the first live performance at the theatre in nine months.
Several productions are still being advertised for January, including the hit musical Hairspray.
Following the announcement of the tier system last week, the theatre advised via its Facebook page that it would be sharing an update on its socially-distanced pantomime.
The post read: “Like everyone we watched and listened to the latest from the government during today’s tier announcement and are working on how this will affect our socially-distanced pantomime performances.
“We will share any updates with everyone as soon as we have them.
“We love you and thank you for supporting us and all cultural institutions across our wonderful city.”