Preston pantomime scrapped due to ‘set-building delays’

Rapunzel – Preston’s Magical Christmas Panto had been set to run from December 14-31 this year at Stage City in Preston, an events venue spanning theatre and tribute acts that opened in March of this year.

But the venue and the producer confirmed to The Stage today (October 15) that the pantomime had been cancelled in its entirety. 

Darling Productions UK produced the pantomime in a 50-50 partnership with fellow production company DWO, taking control of "creative and production elements" while DWO Live provided the venue, Stage City, as well as operational and market support. 

"The decision to cancel the production was made jointly following unforeseen operational challenges beyond the producers’ control," a spokesperson for the company said. 

"Some stage construction and set builds were outsourced to third-party contractors and, despite repeated assurances, key elements were not completed within the agreed time frames. 

"Darling Productions UK had worked closely with these suppliers to mitigate the delays, but it became clear that the venue would not be ready to safely accommodate a full-scale pantomime by opening.

"Proceeding without the necessary backstage infrastructure would have compromised performer welfare and production standards – a risk Darling Productions UK was not willing to take."

The company added: "No costs will fall to cast as a result of the cancellation. All contractual obligations have been met, including payment for time spent at promotional activities."

"This decision was made only after exploring all possible options and in full accordance with industry best practice and contractual procedures," its statement concluded. 

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Stage City expressed "disappointment" at the cancellation, and also claimed that ticket sales for the pantomime had been in a "very strong position". 

They claimed that Darling Productions UK had asked the venue to "take on" the pantomime itself the weekend before cancellation, but the new building said it wasn’t able to deliver "a high standard" of production independently at such short notice. 

The venue claimed that it, as well as DWO Live, had "nothing to do with cancelling the show", adding that the venue and the production company were involved only as a building to host the performances and for marketing assistance.