Show will go on for Elgin Christmas pantomime
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AFTER some uncertainty, it has been confirmed this year's Christmas pantomime at Elgin Town Hall will go ahead with only slight disruption.
Doubt was cast over the future of Elgin Amateur Dramatic Society's panto A Christmas Carol, with the threat of total cancellation, after a UK General Election was called for Thursday, December 12, and it was announced Elgin Town Hall would be used for the Moray count.
However, it was confirmed this morning the organisers of the show, which will run from Wednesday, December 11, until Saturday, December 14, will only be forced to cancel Thursday night's panto, with the others running as planned.
Amanda Craib, director of the panto, told the Northern Scot of her delight. She said: "We were really worried. We looked at different venues and different ways to bring the panto to Elgin. It was difficult to find somewhere with resources and other places with the capacity to hold the event.
"We looked at holding the show over two weeks and looked at holding it in January, but because it is A Christmas Carol we thought that wouldn't be the best idea.
"This is definitely the best solution. The Town Hall offers all the different requirements we need. Lighting, sound and it being nice and central for our audience. We are just really relieved. Everyone is saying it's a Christmas miracle come early."
Amanda has plenty of thanks to give out after a compromise was found. She added: "Donnie from the Town Hall was instrumental in talking with Moray Council. The council realised it was something the public wanted to happen, from the comments we received, and they were keen for it to go ahead.
"The comments have been really nice and positive. We do this because we are passionate, but there are a lot of people who are passionate about coming to see it and it's a big part of their Christmas. We are grateful for people who support us. It's very nice to see."
Denise Whitworth, Returning Officer for Moray, was also pleased to see a solution found. She said: "Our elections office has worked with Elgin Town Hall to minimise disruption to Elgin Amateur Dramatic Society’s popular annual pantomime, which will be performed in its original venue.
"I’d like to thank the organisers of Elgin Town Hall, and Elgin Amateur Dramatic Society, for their understanding and co-operation."
Ticket sales, having been suspended, are now back on. Amanda says sales are going well so far.
If you have bought a ticket for the Thursday show, tickets can be refunded or exchanged. Tickets for the other nights can be bought at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/elgin-amateur-dramatic-society.
