Aberdeen Performing Arts will shut all three of its venues – His Majesty’s Theatre, the Music Hall and the Lemon Tree – for three weeks from Boxing Day in response to the new coronavirus restrictions.
And at P&J Live, Bill Bailey’s December 30 gig has been postponed to May 9, while shows such as L.O.L Surprise and Bongo’s Bingo will also be rescheduled at the venue, with the restrictions set to run for at least three weeks.
Beauty And The Beast, the panto at His Majesty’s Theatre, will have its last performance on Christmas Eve instead of January 2 after audience sizes were limited to 200 if seated or 100 if standing from December 26.
In an announcement on its social media platform, Aberdeen Performing Arts said: “We are so sad to be closing our doors again so soon after re-opening and welcoming you all back and we will be back as soon as we can.
“All performances at our venues from Boxing Day until 16 January will be cancelled and affected customers will be contacted in due course. Please bear with us while we work through this.”
‘Gutted’ to close after busy re-start
Meanwhile, Louise Stewart, head of entertainment, exhibitions and marketing at P&J Live, said: “We are constantly in talks with the promoters of events that are scheduled and working to find appropriate dates to re-schedule them in the not too distant future.”
She said the venue would work on the basis that events beyond the three-week period events would still be able to happen.
“We are gutted because we are only two months in since restrictions lifted and we’ve had a nice, busy re-opening,” said Louise.
“But obviously we have to do what’s best for people’s safety and we all understand we play a part in that, too. We would love to be carrying on with our busy schedule, but we have to do what’s right.”
Shows postponed at the Music Hall include Ross Noble, No Such Thing As A Fish and Funbox.
Lemon Tree shows are postponed
The Lemon Tree will see the cancellation of The Complete Stone Roses, Martin Kemp’s 80s DJ set and Rush tribute, Moving Pictures.
The Tivoli Theatre also announced it would be closing from December 26 until January 16 following the Scottish Government update.
In a statement, the theatre said: “We are so sad to be closing our doors again but the safety of our staff, customers and performers comes first. We hope this won’t be for long and we can welcome you back to the Tivoli soon.”
Customers for cancelled shows, which include the panto, Sleeping Beauty, due to run from December 28 to January 4, will be contacted regarding tickets and refunds.
Aberdeen Arts Centre also has shows scheduled within the three-week period of the newly announced restrictions.
Following the Scottish Government update this afternoon regarding the rapidly changing coronavirus situation, and changes to measures to limit large events to 200 seated and 100 standing, we will be closing our venues from 26 December for three weeks. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/0L8bxTtmlv
— Abdn Performing Arts (@APAWhatsOn) December 21, 2021
A spokesman for the Arts Centre said they would be able to complete the run of their panto, Sleeping Beauty, as planned on Christmas Eve and would “take January shows one step at a time.”