Performances of York Theatre Royal panto Cinderella have been cancelled for a week after several cast members caught Covid.
The theatre’s chief executive Tom Bird said the team had moved “heaven and earth” to keep the show going.
“We actually cast our fourth Cinderella of the run last night, just desperately to try to keep it going,” he told YorkMix. “But there comes a time when there’s just too many of us isolating to do a show.”
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It is planned that the production will be back on stage on Thursday 30 December with two performances at 2.30 and 7pm.
A theatre spokesperson said: “Box Office will be in touch with ticketholders as quickly as they can to make alternative arrangements. We want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding at this difficult time.”
The show, starring CBeebies favourite Andy Day, had been a new departure for York Theatre Royal after they decided to end the long run of pantos led by Berwick Kaler.
It has proved very popular and garnered very favourable reviews.
Refunds and transfers
Understudies stepped into roles at some performances this week after several cast members tested positive for Covid.
The new actor drafted in to play Cinderella arrived into York last night (Wednesday), but when several other cast members tested positive today it was decided that the situation meant the show couldn’t go on over Christmas because of uncertainty over cast availability.
“We are offering several options to our audiences – to book for another performance of Cinderella, from Thursday 30 December, to transfer their tickets to Peter Pan next year, to have a credit or voucher to book for another show or the offer of a full refund,” said the spokesperson.
Extra performances are being added to the schedule to make up for the lost performances. Cinderella is due to run until 2 January.
