The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Pantos will be back with a bang, ‘Oh yes they will’
THEATRE: Bosses stay upbeat despite wipeout of popular Christmas shows across Fife
Theatre managers across Fife are remaining in good cheer, despite seeing most of their schedules – including the lucrative pantomime season – wiped out due to Covid-19.
The pandemic has had a devastating impact on the arts as plans for all three of Fife’s main festive pantos, in Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline and St Andrews, have now been shelved.
The cancellations will have a huge financial effect on the venues, as well as depriving parents and youngsters of a festive tradition enjoyed by generations.
Simon Fletcher, general manager of Dunfermline’s Alhambra Theatre, said the plan was to come back even stronger after the Alhambra Theatre Trust confirmed this year’s pantomime, Cinderella, would not go ahead.
“This has been a very difficult time for all, so we are excited now to come together and begin to plan for a new future,” he said.
“We hope that the easing of restrictions will continue and allow the theatre and some amazing guest artists to do what we do best.
“Since our opening 13 years ago we have welcomed more than 1.7 million people through the doors.
“This enforced hiatus has only strengthened our resolve to come back better than ever.”
A series of socially distanced fundraisers are being planned for the coming festive season, with more details expected in the coming months.
Onfife, Fife’s Cultural Trust, said plans for Snow White at Kirkcaldy’s Adam Smith Theatre were also off.
The panto is normally the year’s biggest money-spinner for the venue, but an alternative “theatrical event” is being arranged to help people celebrate Christmas.
“We’re excited to come together and plan for a new future
Kally Lloyd-jones and Jessica Richards, joint directors at the Byre Theatre in St Andrews, confirmed the Byre’s panto had also fallen by the wayside for 2020, adding that the theatre’s partners, Bard in the Botanics, were in “wholehearted, but heartbroken agreement” with the decision.
Gordon Barr, director of Bard in the Botanics and the writer of the Byre’s panto since 2014, said: “Everyone will miss the panto this year, but in the circumstances, this is the right decision.”