Coronavirus cancels Joanna Lumley’s Fife show & Festival of Ideas

The town’s hugely popular food and drink fair – organised by Fife College and Kirkcaldy4All as part of the festival – is also off.

Organisers hope to reschedule for late summer.

The 2020 festival was set to take place over a weekend at the end of March, with national treasure, Joanna Lumley headlining at the Adam Smith Theatre. It was close to a near sell-out.

The festival also included the Adam Smith Lecture which was due to be given by Henrietta H. Fore, UNICEF’s executive director, live music from long-established local band Gaels Blue, and a family fun day.

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Organisers, Adam Smith Global Foundation, took the decision to pull the plug in light of concerns over the coronavirus which has seen two positive cases confirmed in Fife so far.

It followed a board meeting on Tuesday after studying guidance from the Government, Chief Medical officer and the NHS.

Michael Levack, chairman of the foundation said; “The health and safety of everyone involved and attending is paramount, and we do not want anyone to be put at risk. The board has understandably decided to be cautious and postpone the events.”

He added: “We feel this is the safest thing to do given the current available guidance on the virus, the timing of events and the fact that some involved large gatherings of people, including families and potentially those at greater risk.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank everyone involved for their understanding. Once events are rearranged, we will let everyone know the details and the box office will be in touch with all who have purchased tickets.”

Fife Cultural Trust , which was hosting the event in its theatre, backed the cecision to cancel.

Heather Stuart, ONFife chief executive, said: “It is obviously disappointing that such a high profile and much-anticipated event is being postponed but, with guests and audiences coming from throughout the UK and overseas, the organisers must err on the side of caution.

“No other events or shows at ONFife venues have been impacted so far but our planning is being reviewed continually and we are following the latest guidelines from the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland.”