Derby's panto may disappear by 2018 because of budget cuts, the city council has warned.
The annual show had to be cancelled in 2014 because of a fire at the council-run Assembly Rooms which has been closed since then. In 2015 the panto returned, with Aladdin being performed at Derby's new multi-million pound indoor venue and velodrome, Derby Arena.
But council papers for a meeting on 3 February revealed, “by 2018, the current budget has had to assume that there will only be funding for statutory services. Therefore, Derby LIVE (the council's entertainments division) will not be able to provide the support it currently contributes to cultural events at the Derby Arena, such as the pantomime.” The authority has to cut £23 million from its budget in 2016-17.
Christopher Hall, PR and marketing manager for Paul Holman Associates which produces the Derby panto, said, "we've been delighted to work with Derby LIVE in establishing the Arena as the home of pantomime in Derby. Throughout the year, the pantomime and its cast played a huge part in cultural and social events in Derby.
"Just some examples include our pantomime dame Leon Craig entertaining crowds at the Arena for the BBC's Children in Need event and our cast member Natasha Hamilton turning on Derby Christmas lights. The pantomime enjoyed rave reviews and we're quite convinced it played an important role in driving custom to Pride Park services such as the restaurants and coffee shop facilities.
"We've already seen strong booking figures for next year's pantomime Cinderella and are confident we'll build on the success of this year."
Ten thousand fewer tickets were sold for Aladdin than for the last panto at the Assembly Rooms, Jack and the Beanstalk, in 2013.