Massive blow for theatre bosses

THEATRE bosses have been left devastated after government confirmed Portsmouth was set to be put into tier three restrictions.

Productions had just restarted at both The Kings Theatre in Southsea and The Groundlings Theatre in Portsea.

A Christmas Carol at the Kent Street theatre was its first production since the Groundlings Theatres Trust took over this year.

And the Kings’ Dick Whittington, The Pompey Panto was the first panto the theatre put on itself.

Both have been cut short following the announcement Portsmouth will enter tier three from Saturday.

A spokeswoman for Groundlings said: ‘Grounding Theatre Trust are deeply disappointed that our first production ‘ A Christmas Carol’ has been cut short by the change to tier three in Portsmouth.

‘We were looking forward to providing a high-quality production which has already opened to some fantastic reviews and are sad that many people have booked tickets and will be unable to experience our exciting new show. Friday will see the final panto at the Kings until Portsmouth reemerges from tier three.

A statement on t he The Kings Theatre’s Twitter page said: ‘We're so proud of what we have achieved staging our first Pompey Panto and are devastated that the show must be closed over Christmas whilst we're in tier three.

‘If you have purchased tickets for after t hat date then our Box Office will be in touch shortly. Please be patient whilst we contact everyone.