Monday 6 December 2021

The final three performances of Beverley Musical Theatre’s annual panto had to be cancelled at the weekend after a cast member tested positive for Covid. Mother Goose had been playing to capacity audience at the Memorial Hall all week, with a matinee and evening performance due to take place on Saturday and the finale yesterday afternoon.

It was a disappointing end to what was Beverley Musical Theatre’s 30th panto, particularly after last year’s show had had to be cancelled because of lockdown. Once the Covid test result had been received volunteers began contacting ticket holders to give them the news.

The theatre’s chairman, Allison White, told Beverley FM that full refunds would be given and explained that because the hall and scenery couldn’t be hired again at such short notice, it was not possible to reschedule the final shows.

Beverley Folk Festival is to return in 2022, four years after the previous festival went into voluntary liquidation. Since 2018 volunteers have presented a fringe event in the town; now they’ve announced the return of a full festival next June.

In a statement on Facebook they said: “In short, since ‘the big meeting’ in a packed-out Sun Inn the day after we lost the Folk Festival in 2018, it’s something the Fringe team – and our wider local supporters and musicians – have always strived to do,” adding: “We must stress that other than avid supporters, previous volunteers and/or participants, we are unrelated to the original Folk Festival team.”

The festival will take place from June 17 – 19 and will expand its programme to include comedy.