THE Beacon Arts Centre has been forced to axe its panto this year as the Covid-19 outbreak continues to hit hard.

Theatre bosses had planned 44 performances of Cinderella throughout the festive season but the plug has been pulled on what was billed as the theatre's biggest panto yet.

Last year's money spinning Jack & the Beanstalk starring Mark Cox and Jane McCarry was a huge box office hit.

The Beacon's entire schedule has been wiped out since lockdown began in March - and now the panto is the latest casualty, postponed until winter 2021.

The theatre is relying on government grants and Inverclyde Council to survive and the lack of a moneyspinning panto is a big bodyblow.

Theatre director Pauline Kane said: “We are deeply saddened to lose panto this year, but our priority is the safety of our staff and audiences.

"Postponing until next year feels like the most sensible, fair, and safe option, and we promise that next year’s show will be the biggest ball in town."

The Beacon’s pantomime is a highlight of Inverclyde’s cultural calendar and is now firmly established itself as a popular Christmas tradition for many families from the local area and beyond.

But under the current restrictions, the venue would have been unable to produce the panto experience audiences have come to expect, of a packed auditorium, high energy crowds and the hilarious on-stage antics of their much-loved regular cast members.

Cinderalla will now be postponed to December next year.

Steve Boden of production company Imagine Theatre: "We are very disappointed to have to postpone this year’s production of Cinderella, but given the current situation, it’s the right decision to make.

"We look forward to working with the wonderful team at the Beacon next year and can’t wait to stage Cinderella with a host of familiar faces, in what will be the theatre’s biggest panto yet.”

The Beacon is asking that audiences keep their tickets for next year’s show to help support them through this difficult financial period where possible.

If this is not an option, venue bosses ask that they consider an account credit to book for a later date, or donate all, or part of refunded tickets to help the organisation deliver a programme of shows, events, classes and workshops when they reopen.