There will be a panto at Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre and Opera House but not the one originally planned.
Instead of Sleeping Beauty, the theatre will present a 'socially distanced' pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, for one week only, from 18 to 24 December.
This show will be 75 minutes long with a reduced capacity and no interval to minimise crowding. There will be 'socially distanced' seating in groups of 2, 4 and 6. Bookings must be from the same household or support bubble, in line with current restrictions. Booking opens on Monday 16 October.
There will be 19 performances altogether, with three shows a day at 11:00, 2:00 and 5:00, except on the last day when shows will be at 10:00, 1:00 and 4:00, and on the first day when there will be just one performance, at 8:00.
The show stars Tyne Theatre regular Charlie Richmond as Simple Simon but no other casting has yet been announced.