Kilmarnock pantomime shows have been axed due to new Covid restrictions coming into force.
Performances of Aladdin from Monday, December 27 to Thursday, December 30 have been cancelled, East Ayrshire Leisure announced this morning.
Pre-Christmas shows at the Palace Theatre will still go ahead following discussions with panto producers Imagine Theatre.
Those with tickets for cancelled shows will be refunded in due course, organisers have confirmed.
A statement from East Ayrshire Leisure reads: "After discussions with our pantomime producers, Imagine Theatre, regarding the new Covid restrictions which come into effect from December 27, we have made the difficult decision to cancel all performances of Aladdin from December 27 to December 30.
"Anyone who has booked to attend performances on these dates will be refunded in due course but please be patient with us while we carry out this process at this busy time of year. Customers will be contacted via email once refunds have been processed."
Panto bosses say that a Covid passport or proof of a negative test is not required for remaining performances but encouraged guests to take a test before heading to a show.
The statement continued: "Pre-Christmas performances will not be affected by the new guidance and these will go ahead as normal. Currently, a Covid passport or proof of a negative test are not required due to the venue capacity although we would encourage all visitors to play their part in helping to reduce the spread of the virus.
"Please take a test prior to your visit and do not attend if you feel unwell or are displaying any symptoms of Covid-19.
"Our no refund policy remains in place for pre-Christmas performances.
"We appreciate that this will be disappointing news for many of our customers who had booked for December 27 to December 30 but we do hope to see you back for panto in 2022.
"If you are attending any performances of Aladdin up until the December 24, please visit our FAQs to read more about the safety measures in place at the Theatre.
"Visit https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/ for the latest information on Covid-19 restrictions in Scotland.
"Thank you for your understanding and we wish all our customers a happy and safe Christmas and New Year."
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