Organisers say Perth’s main Christmas pantomime will definitely go ahead tonight after the disappointment of the opening night being cancelled.
Many parents and children turned up on Thursday evening to Perth Concert Hall but were told the production of Sleeping Beauty would not go on due to “technical problems.”
Today, a spokesperson for Horsecross Arts, who run both Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre, told The Courier: “The pantomime will definitely go on tonight so the show goes on.
“We had contacted almost everyone prior to Thursday’s cancellation but those who turned up are entitled to a refund or alternative performance.”
The curtain was due to rise on the highly anticipated production on Thursday evening but it was decided to pull the plug after a series of technical problems came to light during a final rehearsal.
About 500 people were understood to have bought tickets for the show.
A party from the 5th Scone Guides were very disappointed to hear of the cancellation.
Group leader Karen Lamb said: “One of my colleagues read about it on The Courier’s website. It’s a real shame as we don’t know if we will be able to go on another night.”
Linda Normand, also of the 5th Scone Guides, said: “It is very disappointing as we have girls coming from Scone, Stormontfield and Burrelton.”
Perth mother Susan Campbell said the decision to cancel “couldn’t be helped” but admitted her son, Josh, 7, and daughter Alix, 2, were sad not to see the show.
Petra Brough, of Perth, said she had no idea the panto had been cancelled.
“It’s a bit much to come here only to find out the panto is off especially in this weather,” she said.
Horsecross Arts, which runs Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre, asked those concerned to contact the venue’s box office to arrange an alternative date or claim a refund.
Horsecross chief executive Colin McMahon said: “Due to unforeseen circumstances we have had to cancel our first performance of Sleeping Beauty.
“We have had some technical issues today and we took the decision that it was best to cancel now so as not to spoil the magic for our young audiences and to allow the box office to contact all our patrons.”
Wendy Niblock, director of marketing and communications for Horsecross, said the decision was the “right one to take.”
“It is unfortunate but we took the decision around lunchtime,” she said. “It was difficult moving the panto from Perth Theatre to Perth Concert Hall and the show has to be magical for the children.
“We contacted as many people as we could.”
The show is scheduled to run until Boxing Day.
The team behind this year’s show, led by director Kenny Miller, also put together the Cinderella production last year.