Hopes that Customs House panto in South Shields will still go ahead

The curtain could still go up on South Tyneside’s on-off panto season, hopeful theatre bosses say.
Davey Hopper as Arbuthnot and Ray Spencer as Dame Bella. Photo credit: Chris J. Allan - Wycombe 89 MediaDavey Hopper as Arbuthnot and Ray Spencer as Dame Bella. Photo credit: Chris J. Allan - Wycombe 89 Media
Davey Hopper as Arbuthnot and Ray Spencer as Dame Bella. Photo credit: Chris J. Allan - Wycombe 89 Media

They believe a show will still be staged at The Customs House in South Shields – with three performances on each of the five days before Christmas planned.

If given the go-ahead amid coronavirus restrictions, around 1,000 people would still see its production of Arbuthnot & Dame Bella’s Christmas Adventure.

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Others may be able to watch via live streaming within the Mill Dam venue’s cinema - or even in their homes via the internet.

Executive director Ray Spencer MBE said a final decision on opening would be known on December 16, when South Tyneside’s highly restrictive Tier 3 rules could be relaxed.

Originally, he had hoped that would allow the theatre to open for business the following day, but he now admits a more likely start date is Saturday, December 19.

He said: “Safety comes first. We are hoping to know by December 16 if we can reopen, but I would then expect a three-day delay.

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“Around 1,300 people lost seats due to the current restrictions and another 800 or so will be displaced if we can’t open until December 19.

“We are planning to hold a ballot for seats, but there will now be more people in it.

“We had hoped to get 4,000 people into the theatre for the production, but the likely later opening date means that will now only be around 1,000.

“Arbuthnot & Dame Bella’s Christmas Adventure is a tale about saving Christmas, which I must say is something close to my heart.

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“I’m sure, together, given the chance we can put on a show, and I’m sure that people will have a good time.”

The Customs House’s annual panto usually starts in November and attracts around 30,000 people up to its last show on Christmas Eve.

The classic Rapunzel was planned this year but was cancelled due to the pandemic and replaced with Arbuthnot & Dame Bella’s Christmas Adventure.

Mr Spencer said the show, which has original music by Jen Stevens and a script by David Hopper, would be a festive treat.

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Information on the production is available at www.customshouse.co.uk or by calling 0191 454 1234.

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