Newcastle Theatre Royal’s pantomime Humpty Dumpty has been postponed until 2021. A statement from the theatre says:
It is with great sadness and huge disappointment that we announce that this year’s Theatre Royal pantomime, Humpty Dumpty, has been rescheduled until November 2021. The uncertainty around ongoing restrictions and maintaining social distancing means that it is not possible for us to open the pantomime this year as planned.
Humpty Dumpty will now run from Tuesday 23 November 2021 until Sunday 9 January 2022.
We will be contacting all existing bookers with details of alternative 2021/2022 dates over coming weeks. As this is such a large and complex show, we ask customers to wait for this correspondence and not to contact the Box Office.
Philip Bernays, Chief Executive of Newcastle Theatre Royal Trust, said, “this is my favourite show of the year and I am devastated that we are having to postpone it. The uncertainty over how long social distancing will continue means we are not able to plan for the show—a socially distanced audience is not financially viable for us, but first and foremost is the safety of the audience and of our team.
“I know Danny, Clive, Chris, Joe and all the panto team were so looking forward to it and are all truly sorry to let everyone down. It is over 93 years since we last had Humpty Dumpty on our stage; the excitement is almost too much but we are all just going to have to wait one more year!”
Pantomime Producer Michael Harrison of Qdos added, “the first ever theatrical performance in my life was on the stage of Newcastle Theatre Royal and I have personally been the custodian of the Theatre Royal pantomime for fifteen years. Postponing Humpty Dumpty is obviously hugely disappointing but I know it is the right decision for us all. Humpty Dumpty is a brand-new pantomime with stunning new sets and costumes and it would therefore not be right to proceed in such an uncertain climate, but rest assured we will be back in 2021, and what a panto it is going to be! I am delighted that Danny, Clive, Chris and our new team-member Joe McElderry have agreed without hesitation to be part of the show in 2021.”