Fife theatre scraps Christmas show plans and looks to online festive season

The Magic Of Christmas show was unveiled in autumn, and set to run from November 27-December 3.

The safe, socially distanced event was a joint venture between OnFife, and Pitlochry Theatre, designed to be held at Carnegie Hall in Dunfermline, and the campus at Pitlochry.

It promised a “wonder-filled promenade Christmas event an experience like never before” - but continued restrictions have now led to its cancellation.

OnFife, which runs the region’s theatres, museums, libraries and art galleries, said it was “with much regret” the show wouldn’t go on as a result of new Government Covid-19 guidelines around Fife’s Tier 2 status.

Michelle Sweeney, director of creative development, said: “This is a particularly hard blow for all our customers who have so enthusiastically welcomed an event that would still bring the sparkle and joy of theatre in the absence of panto this years.

Virtual event with Val McDermid to thank volunteers at a Fife charity

“It’s also devastating to all our teams who had worked so hard with Pitlochry Festival Theatre to create this amazing show and then, as restrictions changed over the weeks, had continued to adapt and modify the production to take it from an indoor to a magical outdoor experience. However, as not even outdoor theatre can take place now, we have had to accept it can’t go ahead.”

OnFife is now turning its full attention to its digital ShineOn Christmas programme to ensure some festive celebrations come to the Kingdom.

The box office will be contacting Magic of Christmas ticket-holders to arrange refunds.

Thank you for reading this article on our free-to-read website. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

Please consider purchasing a subscription to our print newspaper to help fund our trusted, fact-checked journalism.

https://www.localsubsplus.co.uk/nord/dm/FFP/V