The Stage

Stand up for Hunstanton

Published Tuesday 15 December 2009 at 10:35

For many years I played pantomime at the lovely Princess Theatre, Hunstanton, in Norfolk, and I am not sure whether you are aware, but there are plans afoot to close it in an economy drive by the West Norfolk Council. Tenders have already been put out for the 2010 pantomime which will transfer to the Corn Exchange in King’s Lynn. That building is not equipped to deal with a proper traditional panto. It will be a very sad state of affairs when the only theatre in the entire area from Boston to Cromer and Norwich will close. Many businesses in the town of Hunstanton rely on the theatre and the patrons it attracts to survive, especially over the pantomime season. The four- week pantomime season plays to approximately 90% capacity.

I would urge anybody who has appeared in this lovely theatre to write expressing their dismay at its closure to Cllr Nick Daubney, Leader of the Borough Council Of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk c/o The Corn Exchange, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 1JW.

Keith ‘Appy’ Hopkins

Charing Cross Road

London WC2