Further performances of a pantomime have been cancelled following a Covid outbreak among the cast.

Two shows of Beauty and the Beast scheduled at The Central Theatre, Chatham, tomorrow have now been called off, following a last minute halt to a performance yesterday.

Audience members were already in their seats waiting for the 6pm show to begin when they were told the show would not be going ahead “due to a number of positive Covid cases within the cast and crew".

No performances were due to take place today (Monday) and this morning the producer said they were doing everything they could to restart the production as soon as possible.

But it has now been announced the matinee and 6pm shows tomorrow have also been cancelled.

A statement from Jordan Productions on the theatre's website says: "Unfortunately, at the weekend several members of the cast and crew tested positive for Coronavirus and, as a precaution, all backstage staff and the rest of the cast have taken PCR tests and we are currently waiting for the results.

"We’ve consulted with the venue management and we have made the extremely difficult decision to cancel both of tomorrow’s (Tuesday, December 21) performances of Beauty and the Beast.

“We appreciate that this will be disappointing news and we apologise for any inconvenience and upset this may cause, however, the health and safety of our cast and crew is our highest priority.

"We are doing all we can to ensure that the show can go on for performances later this week, however, if future shows do need to be cancelled ticket holders will be contacted directly by the box office, via email, and we will update our website and social media channels. We will do our best to give audiences as much notice as possible.

"People who have tickets for tomorrow’s show, and provided their email address when they booked, have been contacted by the box office. The team will also be phoning ticket holders who did not provide an email as quickly as they can.

"We would like to reassure audiences that we have strict Coronavirus protocols in place and, before any shows are resumed, The Central Theatre will undergo further deep cleaning.

"Thank you to our fantastic audiences for their patience at this difficult time. We have passed your good wishes across to our cast and crew.

The Woodville in Gravesend also had to cancel a performance of its Robin Hood pantomime today following a case of Covid within the cast.