An Aberdeen arts group has been forced to delay what would have been its 30th Christmas pantomime.
Auditions and rehearsals for Culter Theatre Club’s annual show were due to begin over the coming weeks.
In years gone by, the festivities have attracted huge crowds of all ages with their trademark panto humour and music.
But bosses says they have now made the “hard decision” to cancel their plans for 2020, amid concerns about health and finances.
A statement from the group said: “The health and safety of our audience, cast and crew was paramount in this decision.
“Auditions and panto rehearsals would start in just a couple of weeks’ time, however with social distancing in place these would be impossible for us in practical terms.
“Additionally if at any time anyone became ill they, and potentially the whole cast and crew, would have to self-isolate for 14 days.
“This may even be the case right through show time.
“With the existing social distancing rules our seated capacity would be reduced by 80%, all of which makes it unsustainable to put on a production this year.”
The club is hoping to instead produce a summer show in 2021 and, “all being well”, follow this up with what will be its 30th pantomime in the winter.
Organisers are already planning for it to be “bigger and better than ever”.
They are also preparing to host a socially-distanced AGM next month.