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.

[minnieok]

They cancelled the Christmas musical a month or so ago, the Christmas market got axed last week ... it's going to be a weird Christmas for sure (even weirder for me as first in new relationship!)

[BooseysMom]

I'm hoping the schools have their nativity plays. It's DS's last chance to be in the paper! He was poorly when they did the photo when he was in reception, year 1 the school forgot to send a photo to the paper and year 2 was his last chance and we have bloody Covid!

[Mothermorph]

The national theatre is making 30% staff redundancies, Cameron mackintosh has closed phantom of the opera. (I'm sure there are lots more about to close) If these huge organisations cant cope what hope is there for small local theatres.
My Ddad used to go to quite a few things at his local arts centre - exhibitions, brass bands, dances etc, not big names and affordable tickets. I cant imagine them having huge reserves to weather the storm and stay open.

[ThanksItHasPockets]

@BooseysMom

I'm hoping the schools have their nativity plays. It's DS's last chance to be in the paper! He was poorly when they did the photo when he was in reception, year 1 the school forgot to send a photo to the paper and year 2 was his last chance and we have bloody Covid!

I’m sure schools will find a way to stage the plays but I’m afraid it’s very unlikely that parents will be able to come on site in any numbers to watch them.

[zigaziga]

Panto has never been a Christmas tradition for me but I am so worried for a few close friends who work in local theatres.
I hope these people will be ok - I’m just hoping they keep their homes at this point.

[purpleme12]

The more I think about the whole mess the more heartbreaking it is

[formerbabe]

It's so sad...panto keeps many theatres afloat.

[Malaya]

Not bothered about panto myself but dc love it and I take them to the local Xmas panto every year. I’m not sure how our local theatre will survive as Xmas was their main source of income. I feel sad for all those involved as most of them are now out of a job. For us, it’s about supporting our local community. The xmas panto is a big event in our small town and they hire around 150 local people every year to help out. A lot of people rely on that money.

[NerrSnerr]

It is heartbreaking. Personally I do go to panto but always go to other Christmas shows and my daughter goes to panto with school. Many theatres will not cope. Pantomimes are also the only time some children get to experience the theatre.

[AlexTheLittleCat]

It's awful for theatres, it threatens their survival. I hope they are able to make it through this crisis, we'll all be worse off if we lose our arts sector, not just those who will suffer financially.

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

I really hope regional theatres survive. There is such a vast range of touring shows normally- including amateur productions. And children's shows- our Scout/Guide district had to cancel next Februarys Gang Show, which is a fantastic chance for the local youth to appear on stage. If the theatre closes, I'm not sure where else they could go.

I feel sorry for those young people who've worked hard for years through ballet programmes, stage school etc with no jobs to go to as well. Not to mention all the theatre staff up and down the country.

[wrongsideofhistorymyarse]

That's so sad..

[Cantata]

Anyone who works in the arts has been royally stuffed by lockdown. I have no words for how fed up (and poor) I am.

Leaving myself aside... Panto may not be your cup of tea (it's not mine, particularly). But what about plays? Live music - of any kind? Musicals? Pantos keep countless venues afloat. Without pantos, venues will collapse.

But never mind if our entire culture is collapsing, so long as pubs can open and people can catch aeroplanes. This is what happens when you have a bunch of philistines making decisions.

FFS.

[FilthyforFirth]

I am also very sad about this. I went a lot as a child and am a Christmas nut in general so very worried about how it will be this year. Knowing that panto funds the rest of the year for some theatres is so sad.

[Whattheduck]

My dd who is 15 goes to stage school and for the past 5 years as performed locally in Panto which she absolutely loves doing.Over the years she has made some wonderful friends and enjoys everything about performing.She really enjoys performing for the school kids who go to watch especially as a lot of them have never been to the theatre before so it’s a great experience.Its truly heartbreaking for everyone involved.

[ChicCroissant]

Understandable, but a shame - not just the actors and the theatre that will miss out on the income, there are the local restaurants and bars that will miss out too.

[tinkz92]

We've not had our cancellation email yet but fully expecting it :( This was going to be my little girl's first panto too. I wish the panto's were still on itv2 each year, really enjoyed watching them when I was little.

[saltycat]

It is August. WTF?

Pantos are an excuse to cross dress and shout and all that. Will not miss them at all, but sad for the actors just the same.

We will be lucky to see our loved ones from far away. But most people have accepted that might not happen either. Life has changed a bit.

Gotta get used to it, and in reality kids are low down on the list, they will cope.

[sMouse]

in reality kids are low down on the list, they will cope.
Not so much the adults employed in the theatre industry or all the connecting industries that will go bust if theatres do.

[Starbuggy]

Theatres in general are absolutely screwed while social distancing is required my local one has cancelled everything up til January at least, it’s heartbreaking for the staff and performers. I had tickets to loads of shows this year, most have been cancelled but some rescheduled. My first rescheduled one is in April 2021 and I’m not confident it will go ahead even then tbh.

[Lansonmaid]

Taking the discussion off thread but orchestras and choirs suffering too. Read a piece about cathedral choirs and how some are closing the schools they run, and the paid choristers are being laid off. We will all be the poorer for losing access to the arts, be it Panto, musicals, plays, opera, ballet, orchestral or choral music. But hey ho so long as people can shop or booze who cares...

[Puppymummy20]

The person wanting a ‘traditional Christmas’ that’s more religious - I assume has nothing to do with church. Because church services are very cautious and socially distanced. Buildings are operating at low capacity and, vitally, no singing is permitted. I doubt there will be many carol services this year. I love a packed nine lessons and carols or midnight mass in the local cathedral, and I can’t see it happening either this year.

I’m another one who doesn’t go to the panto but loves theatre and is very worried about the demise of our cultural industries too.

[Horehound]

Oh no they're not!

[itsaratrap]

Not surprising.

[Horehound]

Oh damn it's been done