Edinburgh King's 2020 panto, Sleeping Beauty, is now officially under threat

SLEEPING Beauty, this year's King's panto is now officially under threat with the announcement by co-producers Qdos Pantomimes that they are to begin the process of consulting with partner theatres about the viability of the 2020/21 panto season.

The King's 2020/21 panto, Sleeping Beauty, is now under threat

Sleeping Beauty, starring the King's record-breaking dame Allan Stewart, veteran funny man Andy Gray, River City and Scot Squad star Jordan Young and Grant Stott is due to open on 28 November and run until 17 January 2021.

In a statement released this morning, Qdos Pantomimes revealed they were taking action having reached the deadline set by theatres for the Government to agree a date for reopening without social distancing.

The statement read: 'Based on the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport's reiteration last week that the Government won't be providing further guidance on theatres operating without social distancing until November at the earliest, we are left with no choice but to begin the consultation process with our partner theatres about the viability of each show. This is a complex process and will take several weeks to complete.'

The statement concludes: 'We are not immediately announcing the postponement of all shows. Plans will be announced by individual theatres and communicated to ticket holders in due course.'

Already more than 36 pantos across the UK have been affected by the Covid pandemic with many postponed until 2021.

If the King's Theatre panto does have to be pulled, it will only be the fourth time in the theatre's 114 year history that a pantomime will not have been staged in the venue over the festive period.

Possible options being discussed by theatres across the country include rescheduling shows for Christmas 2021/22 with some considering the viability of running their shows as Easter pantomimes.

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