'Devastating blow' as Eden Court panto cancelled after Covid-19 restrictions tightened

EDEN Court has been forced to cancel this year's panto – affecting around 10,000 people who had bought tickets – to comply with latest Scottish Government restrictions on indoor events.

The decision to cancel its panto, Cinderella, was taken after discussion with staff and producers Imagine Theatre.

All of its panto performances will be cancelled from December 26, meaning the final performance will be on the evening of December 24.

Eden Court will now begin the process of contacting all customers who have tickets, offering them the option of transferring their booking to the 2022-23 panto, Peter Pan, a credit note to the value of their booking, a full refund, or to donate their ticket price to the theatre.

Bryan Beattie, interim chief executive at Eden Court Theatre, said: "My heartfelt thanks go out to those audiences who have continued to support the theatre throughout these difficult times, and I'm so sorry that thousands will now no longer have the opportunity to do so.

"This is clearly not how we wanted the panto to end.

"It's also a devastating blow for the cast and crew, and the staff of Eden Court, and we will do all we can to mitigate the blow for them, particularly at this time of year.

"Panto is so important for theatres – it is their economic lifeblood and, more importantly, for many people, it brings family and friends together and is where they first meet and fall in love with theatre.

"There will, of course, be a significant economic impact due to this latest guidance, not least of which on the many individuals who are employed directly by the theatre, our associates or the many local businesses that supply us.

"We will, therefore, continue to work with the Scottish and UK governments to seek ways that minimise this impact, and urge them to offer reassurance to the sector in this difficult time that the financial implications of this public health guidance be recognised and compensated accordingly."

Steve Boden, managing director at Imagine Theatre, said: "We are devastated for everyone involved in this brilliant production and for those who will no longer be able to see the show.

"Since Cinderella opened on December 10, we have been able to perform to thousands of people and the response from audiences and critics alike has been phenomenal, such is the love and affection shown for pantomime in Inverness.

"The work it takes to get the pantomime on stage is immense with preparation beginning more than a year in advance.

"We thank everyone who has been involved in that process and we look forward to working with Eden Court in the months ahead and bringing Peter Pan to the Highlands next Christmas."

Eden Court's cinema and hospitality services will remain open over the next three weeks.

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