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.

[Mustbethewine]

Very, very sad news. Every year my kids primary school take the kids year 3,4,5 and 6 to watch a pantomime in December and this year it's cancelled. Its something all the kids look forward too.

[herecomesthsun]

on the one hand

• I love theatre
• very sorry for the performers
• very sorry for all the little children missing out on so much this year
• very sorry for the mums and dads looking for activities for their children
• very sorry for the hospitality industry
• what sort of Xmas are we going to have without fetes and parties,no services,no Carols,no Nativity plays,no end of term concerts

However, 3 years ago I was very ill with the flu after going to a Panto, even though I'd had the jab. By far the most likely source was sitting in the crowded theatre, and after that I have avoided pantos and theatre around Xmas,as I'm quite vulnerable to chest infections, even though it had been a bit of a tradition for me.

Sadly, it's very sensible not to have pantos.

[NerrSnerr]

@saltycat What about all the people out of work when the theatres go out of business? All the workers in the theatres, actors, writers. Producers, musicians etc etc.

[stayathomer]

Can I honestly ask the obvious question- if they can have kids in schools why cant they limit numbers in places like these and let them go ahead? We've chosen not to go to a lot of places I would have deemed worrying with covid, such as cafes and hairdressers but different people have different limits and if people are willing to go could they not just find ways to make them safer? I just find it so weird the things the governments deem suitable and safe or unsafe

[DrMadelineMaxwell]

We love the local rock and roll panto. No z list 'names', just great actors who also play all the musical instruments for the songs too. I used to go with my Dad, then started taking the whole family and their tickets were their Christmas gift from me.

I get that they can't afford to perform for half full theatres to distance groups. And that they can't afford an artist to be told to isolate for 2 weeks and shut down their run.

But it's still a disappointment - especially as I'll need to buy them something else instead now.

[Zhampagne]

@stayathomer

Can I honestly ask the obvious question- if they can have kids in schools why cant they limit numbers in places like these and let them go ahead? We've chosen not to go to a lot of places I would have deemed worrying with covid, such as cafes and hairdressers but different people have different limits and if people are willing to go could they not just find ways to make them safer? I just find it so weird the things the governments deem suitable and safe or unsafe

Because they’d have to charge you £100+ a head just to break even. It isn’t financially viable to play to a half-full house, I’m afraid.

[WeWantSweet]

Perhaps there's a divide developing between those who fear the virus "being behind you", vs those who say "no it isn't"?

[stayathomer]

Because they’d have to charge you £100+ a head just to break even. It isn’t financially viable to play to a half-full house, I’m afraid.

[herecomesthsun]

1 children need an education, oh yes they do. Craig Revel Horwood in drag, very amusing, but not needed so much.

1. sheer expense of putting this stuff on. The Mayflower in Southampton's prices are a bit eye watering,with everyone sitting in rows together. If they took out 2/3 of the seats, a) it would still be an infection risk,air circulating in an enclosed space and b) you really wouldn't get people paying 3 times the price.

[Youbigdosser]

I hate people saying that pantos are offensive 🤦🏼‍♀️ Some of you would be offended at a slice of white bread 🙄

[sMouse]

why cant they limit numbers in places like these and let them go ahead?
Finance costs, you pretty much need the same staff to put on the performance and with not enough people in the audience, will end up running at a loss and you need the profit for the rest of the year.

Saw Lloyd Webber discuss this on BBC last week, he was saying plays really need 65% capacity minimum, musicals more to be financially viable. The theatre I worked at needed far more at panto season for the rest of the year.

[Pelleas]

We can watch the government's ongoing pantomime instead.

[ShellsAndSunrises]

For some reason I’d expected pantos to be cancelled but I’ve just thought that there’s no way our Christmas market can go ahead then, and that’s heartbreaking. I feel so much for all the people and companies who have no way to survive this.

[cheeseandhambaguette]

Sensible but still sad. Just realised that likely means no nativity play at the kids schools too :( it’s going to be a funny sort of Christmas.

[123rd]

I work in a theatre ... I don't think we will open before Feb. It's really not very hopeful atm. I'm worried

[SirSamuelVimesBlackboardMonito]

@CheerfulMuddler

Theatre and the arts are a hugely successful industry for Britain The West End is one of the best places to see theatre in the world, and think what you like about Andrew Lloyd Webber, he's hugely profitable for our country, as of course is Shakespeare and the RSC.

If pantos can't run, local theatres will close. If local theatres close, touring companies will close. (Many probably already have). Unless the government really pulls its finger out, London theatres will close too. (Their overheads will be huge). That's going to be a deeply-felt loss for local communities, local artists, and our cultural industry in general.

Think about what Britain is known for nowadays. We aren't an empire any more. We aren't an industrial nation. But we have the huge gift of the English language, and a culture and education steeped in a heritage of storytelling. We're famous for Harry Potter and Romeo and Juliet, Doctor Who and The Importance of Being Earnest.

If the theatre industry falls, so will that cultural capital. I have a friend who likes to blame our government's Covid failures on the fact that they're arts graduates, not scientists. I hope to God that means they're going to do something about it.

All of the above. Pantomimes being cancelled is the thin end of a very big, utterly catastrophic wedge.

[FusionChefGeoff]

Thanks to recommendations on here, we tried the Lyric Hammersmith 'modern' panto last year after several shocking years in our local but large theatre.

I LOVED It and we got a full and fun day out in the big smoke as an added bonus.

I am gutted that no sooner having found a new and perfect Christmas tradition we have to wave it goodbye.

And having trained in Stage Management many moons ago, the thought of the decimation that will sweep across the industry including old friends and colleagues (I am still in a related field) just doesn't bear thinking about.

[BooseysMom]

@ThanksItHasPockets.. thanks for your post. I hope they do find a way but won't hold out too much hope. Unless year 3s take part in it, DS's last chance is this one.

Still it's far more worrying that all the theatre companies will be losing that huge income. A final nail in the coffin.

[drspouse]

We have been told that the Y1 Christmas concert is definitely online, but they are going to try and do the Reception nativity and the Y2 one in person, plus the KS2 service (but that's in a large church so with repeats they might manage that).

[Jasharps]

I am sad to hear this too

[bendmeoverbackwards]

Oh no they're not

[TheABC]

Fuck. I love the Christmas plays and panto's at our local theatre. As pp have said, this is going to crush the industry.

[PhilSwagielka]

Even if you aren't into panto, some theatres also host classical concerts or gigs. I've seen gigs in theatres.

[saltycat]

YES the industry is gone for now, just as it is for all the performers and singers and entertainers and actors etc.

But we will adapt.

The only thing worth worrying about is our own immediate family now, and I am sure we can cope without a panto.

[Zhampagne]

The thing is, @saltycat, that there are an estimated 290,000 people whose own ‘immediate families’ are financially dependent on their job in the theatre sector.