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Can pantos and Christmas shows still go on with the current restrictions, and the continual changes to them?
We take a look at the latest for the county's productions...
Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
The theatre, which has also needed substantial extra funding from the Government having had to close for much of the year, came back with a bang, announcing its fun-sized pantomime Nurse Nellie Saves Panto, which had been due to run from Friday, December 11, ahead of a new socially-distanced programme from January.
The show, which is by the same, award-winning team as the theatre’s regular panto, Evolution, stars local favourite Ben Roddy and is a mix of music, comedy, dance and drama, designed to lift everyone’s spirits and celebrate the shared experience of live performance again.
However, following the Tier 3 announcement, managers said: “The government’s announcement that Kent will enter the Tier 3 level of restrictions for a period of two weeks from December 2, does, of course, affect the opening period of our socially-distanced pantomime. Rehearsals are allowed under Tier 3 rules, so they are going ahead.
“We are being as creative as possible in our contingency planning... Please bear with us!”
For those who have bought tickets keep in touch via marlowetheatre.com
The Stag, Sevenoaks
At the Sevenoaks theatre, managers have been determined that the show will go on, and, after a fundraising campaign generously supported by locals and the council, plus extra government funding, the theatre did reopen for socially distanced shows.
Forced to close again, its re-worked, Covid-safe panto Jack and the two metre Beanstalk - where the cast would be tested and then self-isolate to prepare - is still due to go ahead from Friday, December 18, despite the turmoil of recent weeks, if the scheduled government review then allows.
Exasperated producer Jamie Wilson said: “We are working on either opening on 18 December as planned, or live streaming the show over the weekend we should have opened with a possible rescheduling of live dates - as and when the Government decides to change its mind again!”
Book at stagsevenoaks.co.uk
EM Forster Theatre, Tonbridge
Tonbridge’s EM Forster Theatre was another theatre keen to put on live shows again this year, and was able to stage some outdoor theatre in the summer.
Their adapted panto, announced in September with Wicked Productions, is Robin Hood and his Socially Distanced Merry Men, with performances beginning on Friday, December 18 - which, in theory could be unaffected should the government review change the county’s tier status.
After the county’s Tier 3 announcement, theatre manager Kat Portman Smith said: “We are still continuing with rehearsals and will film the show so that we can at least stream it if we are not able to perform it live.”
Find out more at emforstertheatre.com
The Woodville, Gravesend
The Gravesend’s adapted panto for 2021, Rapunzel, launched in a socially-distanced fashion last month, complete with the dame in a bubble - literally.
The show, which is also with Wicked Productions and had been due to run from Monday, December 11, is now scheduled to go ahead from Thursday, December 17 until Sunday, January 3 - if the planned government review allows. Find out more at woodville.co.uk
Jack and the Beanstalk, Tunbridge Wells
The theatre, which had reopened for socially distanced show, has had to close it doors along with all others in the county, leading to the postponement of both live shows and Skate TW, which it was organising.
All skate sessions and performances have been cancelled up to and including Wednesday, December 16.
In a statement, theatre managers said: “We still hold out hope that at the first review date, our tier will reduce and we will be able to open our festive season at both Skate TW and the theatre. If you have already booked, fear not as we aim to protect the essence of panto, and still welcome our family audiences to see Jack and the Beanstalk. If you have not booked yet, please continue to include the panto in your festive plans.”
Book online at assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
A Cratchits’ Christmas Carol, Tunbridge Wells
Not a panto, but the reimagined version of Dickens’ iconic festive tale, A Christmas Carol, is a seasonal show set to be staged in the run-up to Christmas in the Beacon in Tunbridge Wells by The Get Out Of My Space’s (GOOMS).
Tobias Cornwell, 23, and the rest of the GOOMS team - Anna Blackburn, James Alston, Kathryn Djemai - have created the experience so audiences have something to look forward to this Christmas, which had been due to run from Tuesday, December 1 until Sunday, December 20, and including a festive feast with socially distanced tables of six.
The cast, who were due to form a support bubble to fulfil government guidelines, are hoping to go ahead from Wednesday, December 16 until Wednesday, December 23 and again from Sunday, December 27 to Thursday, December 31. Find out more at gooms.co.uk/tickets
