Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Easter panto? Oh yes it is!
Festive shows axed by Covid should go on in April, says Gyles Brandreth
PANTOS should be staged at Easter if they cannot take place this Christmas due to coronavirus, according to Gyles Brandreth.
The actor hopes the idea could rescue struggling theatres hit by a massive loss of revenue during the pandemic.
Brandreth, who has previously starred in Cinderella with Bonnie Langford and Barbara Windsor, said: “The panto season is when most theatres are full and make most of their money. If they definitely can’t happen at Christmas, why not postpone them until Easter? In the 19th century pantomimes were often produced at Easter.”
Panto producer Paul Hendy, 54, said the idea had been looked at but warned if there was still no coronavirus vaccine by then it would be difficult. He added: “It’s an idea we thought of and discussed. It’s the same problem.
“With social-distancing in place, and without a vaccine, it’s very difficult to do a large-scale pantomime. The same logistics apply for Easter as Christmas. If things look better by January, we will explore it. But you probably wouldn’t be able to do as long a run over Easter as you would at Christmas.”
Last week it was revealed panto producer Qdos has put shows in Aberdeen, Belfast, Edinburgh and Southampton back to next year, which would spark the “loss of £2.3million at the worst possible time for the theatres”.
Ministers last month announced £1.57billion in emergency loans and grants to help entertainment venues such as theatres hit by the pandemic.