After much consideration it’s with regret we announce that our planned main house annual pantomime production “Cinderella” will be postponed until 2021 along with our brand new theatre 2 interactive production of “The Great Christmas Snow Patrol”
However at Harlow Playhouse we believe although Cinderella can’t get to the ball this year -The Show Must Go On ! We have therefore designed an alternative Christmas season* that will be safer for audiences and more viable for Harlow Playhouse to produce with the current social distancing measures in place!
Our planned Theatre 1 production of “Cinderella” will now become “Treasure Island” – A Family Christmas adventure starring Harlow Favourites Jimmy Burton – IIes and Ben Parsley! This production will be brought to you by the same team that have made the magic over the past few years!
For our younger audiences our planned Theatre 2 production of “The Great Christmas Snow Patrol” will become “The Great Christmas Sleigh Ride” written by Kevin James! The Great Christmas Sleigh Ride was commissioned by Harlow Playhouse for its 2018/19 season and we are delighted to be able to bring it back!
Our Hosts will be in contact with those that have booked for the original programme to ask how you would like your booking dealt with either by transfer, donation, credit note or refund.
Councillor Chris Vince, Harlow Council’s portfolio holder for community wellbeing, said: “It has been a challenging time for theatres across the country so I am delighted that our brilliant playhouse team have managed to find an alternative way for the show to safely go on. This means a change in plans, but there will be Christmas productions at Harlow Playhouse this year, helping to keep an annual tradition going. I look forward to our playhouse once again bringing joy to local families.
“Clearly we will be mindful that at any point both locally and nationally the coronavirus situation could change and we will continue to follow public health guidance very closely. The health and safety of all remains our number one priority.”
Rory Davies, Artistic Director, said: “Our decision to postpone this year’s season and deliver an alternative provision is one that has been extremely difficult for all those involved.
We must make the right decision based on the safety of our audiences, financial viability and long term sustainability of Harlow’s wonderful venue.
To put on our planned productions would not be viable with social distancing measures in place, providing this alternative is a viable, safe and sensible option.
Capacity to our alternative programme will be limited and I strongly encourage customers wishing to book to do so early.
On behalf of my wonderful team here at Harlow Playhouse we would like to thank all of those providing partners that have been affected by this decision and thank them all for their ongoing support.
To our audiences, you keep Harlow Playhouse alive, we are immensely grateful for your ongoing support, and the team and I look forward to welcoming you back to the venue either for our alternative programme or when you safely can.
Please bear with my team whilst they work tirelessly to deal with your bookings.
Harlow – YOU MAKE THE MAGIC !”
