Blackpool Winter Gardens panto Cinderella postponed until 2021

The lavish production starring Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas was set to be the first panto at the venue for more than 60 years but has been postponed to Christmas 2021.

Theatre and production officials says that despite the proposed lifting of restrictions, the risk of a resurgence in Covid-19 and of localised lockdowns during winter, make the financial investment required to stage the production this year too much of a risk.

Cinderella, also featuring CBeebies' Jennie Dale, will now open on Sunday December 12, 2021 and run until Sunday, January 2, 2022.

Michael Williams, Winter Gardens managing director, said: "We are deeply saddened to postpone Cinderella until next Christmas.

"We were all hugely excited to see such a large-scale pantomime return to the Opera House this year, but the potential of a socially distanced Christmas just isn’t viable."

"We’d like to express our thanks to Mark Goucher and the team at Charming Pantos along with Shirley for making it possible to rearrange to 2021.

"We cannot wait for audiences to see what is set to be one of the most spectacular Christmas shows to have ever taken place in Blackpool."

Shirley Ballas said: "I am devasted that I won’t be on stage in Blackpool this Christmas, but the safety of the audience, cast and crew is what’s most important.

"I am delighted that the show will return in 2021 and can’t wait to take to the stage for Blackpool’s biggest ever pantomime."’

The Winter Gardens had teamed up with the producers of smash-hit musicals Hairspray and Priscilla Queen of the Desert to bring the lavish production, billed as Blackpool’s biggest ever pantomime, to the Opera House. The partnership will continue for the staging in 2021.

Existing tickets will remain valid for the new corresponding dates allowing customers to exchange tickets for no extra charge.

Over the coming weeks, the box office team will contact all affected customers andin the meantime ticket queries can be made via email to [email protected].

Full details can be found at www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk.