Curtain falls on panto as repairs go top of the bill

Fife venue to press ahead with upgrade as show is cancelled

Refurbishment of Kirkcaldy’s Adam Smith Theatre will go ahead sooner than planned after it was announced the venue’s Christmas pantomime has been cancelled.

The theatre in Bennochy Road was to host a production of Snow White this festive season but Michelle Sweeney, Fife Cultural Trust’s director of creative development, said restrictions to prevent the spread of Covid-19 had made staging the show impossible.

“December may seem a long way off but despite the Scottish Government announcement this week that theatres can reopen from September 14, the impact of social distancing on audience numbers would remain significant and this, coupled with public anxiety about attending indoor events, has finally convinced us that panto is no longer feasible in these circumstances.

“The joy and excitement of panto is so closely tied up with packed houses, lots of noise and audience participation that to produce it with restrictions and at a time of such uncertainty would not provide the great experience our customers expect.”

Those who have already bought tickets for Snow White will be given the option of holding their seats for next year’s pantomime, Cinderella.

The cancellation means work can start early on the planned refurbishment of the auditorium.

The work, being undertaken in partnership with Fife Council, is to start this autumn and be complete in spring.

It is part of a wider project to upgrade the 120-year-old theatre, including creating a cultural hub – the first major redevelopment of the venue since the 1970s.

“With the 300th anniversary of Adam Smith’s birth coming up in 2023, it will be fantastic to have the grand old lady looking her very best again well ahead of the celebrations,” said Ms Sweeney.

Smith. Kenny This year’s Christmas panto at the Adam Smith Theatre has been cancelled but work to refurbish the 120-year-old venue has been brought forward. Picture: