Pantomime has been a Christmas tradition for many families across the country since the 16th century, but last year the pandemic cancelled all shows leaving theatres fighting for survival.

With the comedy productions now returning to stages across Kent, some theatre bosses are terrified that rising cases and Omicron worries could mean the curtains close prematurely.

Flik Swan and Matt Nicholson share their concerns

The pantomime at the Central Theatre in Chatham is one of its biggest selling shows of the year, bringing a substantial amount of revenue to keep the theatre running.

Families from far and wide travel to gasp, laugh and cry at their favourite re-imagined fairytale.

Beauty and the Beast, produced by Jordan Productions, is set to open this evening.

However, choreographer Matt Nicholson is frightened by the prospect of rising cases of the new Omicron variant of coronavirus.

He said: "Especially with it coming into the winter season again, it's just so frightening.

"We're taking every precaution that we can - wearing masks when we can and things like that.

"It's scary, but we're doing our best and fingers crossed everything goes to plan."

Director Flik Swan added: "It's been tricky and I seriously hope it doesn't cancel the show.

"We are doing everything we can to stay in a very secure bubble - lots of hand washing, lots of mask wearing and lots of lateral flow tests. "

She continued: "The audiences will come in and because we are covid safe, we hope that the audience will be too.

"Essentially we want them to come in and just enjoy the show. We know we're safe and we hope they will be too - we're pretty sure they will be."

For now, last night's announcement confirms audiences will still be able to attend but with adults required to wear a mask.

After a long year with limited work, the actors and performers are delighted to be back on stage in front of audiences again.

The Chatham pantomime features some familiar faces like Todd Carty and Matt Lapinskas, who played Marl Fowler and Anthony Moon EastEnders.

Despite his TV and theatre success, during the pandemic Matt (playing the Beast and Prince in the show) had to start his own building company to make ends meet.

Todd Carty and Matt Lapinskas will star in the Central Theatre pantomime

He said: "I've still got my van and I've still got all of my tools so if anything ever gets quiet again, of course I can jump back on that.

"At the moment the acting is taking centre stage and I'm able to do what I love again, which is great."

Matt is delighted to be back performing again, especially in a local theatre, as their pantomimes are big sources of income.

He added: "It's a tradition that people come to the pantomime and spend their hard earned money to take their families out.

"The revenue has started to come back for the companies that have had to take such a big loss."

Todd is playing Beauty's father - a "bumbling old man", which he joked is "typecasting".

He said: "Well, the last 18 months were obviously awful across the whole entertainment industry, and in particular the theatre industry.

"Theatres themselves live and die by footfall, people coming through the door."

He hopes that more people than ever will buy tickets to the show this year, as the tradition had to be skipped last year.

Todd continued: "Pantomime is the daftest, silliest, most wonderful invention that has ever been created.

"I'm trying to be positive, I don't want to be negative about anything, but anything can happen in these times, anything whatsoever.

"If some of the great panto gods are there shining down on us, get us through this.

"Let's give the public what they want, have a lovely time and then start the new year afresh.

"Please do come along and have some fun."

Meanwhile, the Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone has already started its production of Jack and the Beanstalk, with audiences queuing up to watch the show.

Harry Revell is starring as Jack and said it feels amazing to get back on stage.

He said: "I think everyone has been eager to get back on stage for a while now.

"The lockdown projects that everyone got up to were fun, but nothing compares to being on stage in front of a live audience.

"I haven't been on stage in a panto before, but it's such a good experience and a whole new avenue of performing for me."

He stars alongside Kivan Dene who plays Fleshcreep, the villain of the show.

Kivan said: "Live theatre is what I live for as a performer. If I'm not getting booed or hissed at, I'm not doing my job properly.

"I think the audiences coming in have a real thirst for live shows, they're just excited to get out of the house."

Outside, the audience were gathering at the Box Office ready for the show.

Paul, 35, and Craig, 57, were visiting with their carers and said they were "very excited" for the performance.

Brother and sister, 13-year-old Alan and 11-year-old Lily, were also buzzing with excitement and said they were most looking forward to the music as it is a Christmas family tradition.

The Hazlitt theatre manager, Martin Cleverly, said: " In 2019 we saw a record high regarding ticket sales with over 19,000 people coming to see the performances so it was a real shame that the pandemic halted that momentum.

"However we are back up and running as a venue which is great news for everyone and we are able, once again, to get panto on.

"This year we are staging Jack and the Beanstalk, which is a panto we have not done for many years and thus far 65% of the tickets have sold with more being sold everyday which, all things considered, is a great effort by all involved."