New Covid restrictions have forced the Guild of Players to postpone one of its main January crowd-pulling performances at the Theatre Royal in Dumfries.
Legends of American Country was due to run from January 6 to 25, showcasing highly-acclaimed tributes to singers such as Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline.
However, the theatre, which closed on December 23 and is due to reopen on Wednesday, has announced that the show won’t go on – for now.
A statement from the Guild, which runs Scotland’s oldest working theatre on Shakespeare Street, said: “In light of the latest Covid restrictions in Scotland, announced by the First Minister on December 21, we have taken the decision to postpone the performance of Legends of American Country.
“We are currently contacting all customers who have been affected and our wonderful small team will be in contact soon. No other shows have been affected.
“Our priority is the safety of our audiences, artists and staff and we will continue to monitor the situation and ensure that we keep everyone safe.”
The main auditorium at the theatre has 190 seats with five wheelchair spaces, along with a studio that can accommodate 60, a bar and two smaller rooms available for hire.
Temporary measures to limit the spread of the Omicron variant mean that since Boxing Day, attendance at large events has been limited to 100 people for indoor standing events and 200 people for indoor seated events.
Also, since Monday morning, one-metre physical distancing has been reinstated in all hospitality and indoor leisure settings including pubs, restaurants, gyms, theatres and
museums.
Table service is also required in settings where alcohol is served for consumption on the
premises.
All of the temporary measures are to be reviewed after three weeks on Tuesday, January 11.
The theatre only reopened its doors again in September after 488 days closed during the pandemic.
And it has been staging a busy programme for autumn and winter which includes a return of the Guild of Players’ pantomime – a seasonal favourite in Dumfries.
“Our team are so grateful for your support after being closed for 488 days and only reopening in the summer. We’ve had an amazing year since then with you all and we can’t wait to see you all in the Theatre in
2022.”
