The Xmas pantos are being cancelled

[TBHno]

1st world problem , I know...

My local theatre has just cancelled their Xmas panto

Panto is something I look forward to every Christmas. As a kid, I even performed in them a few times. Seeing one in the run-up to xmas is a big part of the hype for me. Seeing the kids get all dressed up and excited is great too.

It's one of those things that has to be live because the participation is a big part of it.

Xmas just won't be the same.

I don't usually go to pantos but we did last year to the Alhambra the one with the chuckle brother in. It was brilliant so much better than I expected. I'm so glad I went now what with all this.
We usually go to the productions for children a few times a year. We love them
Although I didn't go loads I really miss it
It's all really really sad ☹️

@Tvci5

It's really sad. A lot of small theatres need the panto season to survive

^ This. It's also the chance for some children to shine who don't the chance at sporting events and so on.

Just checked, tickets are still on sale for our local panto but it would probably be silly to book at the moment.

@GoldStripes I love the rock and roll pantos. We've been going for years now first in Ipswich and now in Liverpool. I think they're better than traditional pantos - a bit like a musical with some audience interaction. The actors are really good being able to play all those different instruments and act too

Oh no they aren’t!

@Drivingdownthe101 indeed I agree but that wasn’t what the OP was about , it was about missing a Christmas tradition . As a family we go to the theatre a lot , indoor and out , and have multiple show tickets that have been carried over to new dates ( hopefully) .

Posted too soon It would be a big loss if theatres close as a result of not being able to have a panto season. These bring in so many people it must carry them someway through the rest of year.

Coach companies who organise theatre/sports trips, refreshments and caterers that supply theatres, cafes, bars and restaurants nearby, printers who do all the programmes etc there is such a knock on effect.

This is such a good point. So many people and industries are so closely entwined and interdependent.

I'm with you OP, it's a big part of xmas for me too.

I used to work for a small northern theatre, it basically entirely survived off of panto season, packed audiences and it used to make nearly more money in the small restaurant and bar than it would for the rest of the year, Christmas dinners in the restaurant before shows, after shows, Christmas party meals, bar would be far far busier etc. The loss of panto season will mean the complete loss of some theatres.

Can't stand them but heard about them being cancelled and feeling sorry for all the people involved.

Wonder how much bitching there will be once the true unemployment fallout from this comes to light.

I think we are likely to see many theatres' doors close for good, not just regional ones. Very sad.

Liverpool's theatre scene funds itself year round through the panto, which is honestly brilliant. Everyman may survive but think that's it for the Playhouse. Really sad. Key part of the nighttime economy.

My uncle used to take me when I was little. We'd decided to go this Christmas for the memories - he's 85 now and I'm 45. We couldn't do it last year as he was waiting for a hip replacement so had decided to go this year.

@Floralnomad even if you're personally not bothered about panto are you saying you're not bothered about the theatres that will inevitably close and all the job losses?

Dd16 is gutted - she has been appearing in Panto since she was small. She looks forward to September every year and rehearsals starting. Year 11 cancelled, GCSEs cancelled, Reading festival cancelled, family holiday cancelled and now panto cancelled.

She is supposed to be studying performing arts at 6th form and unsure how it will look.

In her words "I'm so done with 2020"

Ours too @Waxonwaxoff0 ... I booked my tickets in January

@practicallyperfectwithprosecco

Dd16 is gutted - she has been appearing in Panto since she was small. She looks forward to September every year and rehearsals starting. Year 11 cancelled, GCSEs cancelled, Reading festival cancelled, family holiday cancelled and now panto cancelled.

She is supposed to be studying performing arts at 6th form and unsure how it will look.

In her words "I'm so done with 2020"

Same, this year cannot end soon enough for me, I'm desperate to get back to what I love to do most in the world, feeling so lost without theatre.

I'm staggered by the narrow and selfish world view of so many posters these days. It's all I don't like it /watch it /visit it, so I don't care if it is cancelled and ultimately disappears. Don't these posters realise that everything is interconnected and what we are watching is the gradual collapse of all the good stuff - the entertainment that makes life more fun and colourful. Panto may not be your preferred form of entertainment, but watch out because it will be the thing that you love - be that festivals, ballet darts or bingo next!

@TBHno

I think that Christmas is going to be a troublesome time.

If Covid is not well under control then we shall not be able to go en masse and see family but simply stay in some form of modified lockdown. So many of us simply cannot be trusted to behave. I went out to M&S garage for fuel and buns earlier and at best half of the customers were not wearing face coverings.

As to pantos and playes etc the theatres will need to restrict entry to 50% which will simply not be viable and they cannot commit all that money to rehearsals which need to start

In a way, I think it will be a good thing to go back to a simpler, more traditional Christmas this year. There won't be office parties, huge get-togethers or pantomimes, or huge piles of plastic tat given to kids who look at it once and then throw away. Maybe people could think about what Christmas is really about and it is a religious festival, whether you like it or not (and no, I am not religious!).

@Mothermorph

We often go to pantomime. DH nearly always says he wont go but he ends up laughing at all the jokes aimed at grumpy dads. Our panto always has a few (minor) celebs or ex east enders in it but usually there are a few not well known actors who are loads better. Thing with theatre is that its not just the theatre itself and the actors, backstage, and front of house crew but theres often associated businesses. Coach companies who organise theatre/sports trips, refreshments and caterers that supply theatres, cafes, bars and restaurants nearby, printers who do all the programmes etc there is such a knock on effect.

The knock on effect will be massive.

We are semi-rural and I'm concerned about the bus route. The only late evening bus round here is timed with the theatre coming out. If the theatre closes I can see the last bus being 7pm

Costumier friend has lost all his work for the foreseeable future.
It's a fragile profession at the best of times.

shame about theatres etc but personally I don't like pantos either, so often shouty and lewd