A POPULAR theatre is the latest to feel the affects of Covid after its pantomime was cancelled.

Halstead’s Empire Theatre has announced that its New Year panto, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, by the Stane Street Players, has been cancelled due to cast members contracting Covid.

The shows were due to play on the last two weekends of January, but have now been cancelled until 2023.

A theatre spokesman said: “It is with great regret that we have to announce that the 2022 pantomime has been cancelled.”

Jackie Parish, of the Stane Street Players, said: “Regrettably, Stane Street Players have had to cancel their New Year’s pantomime, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.

“Several of the cast and members of the production team have contracted Covid and this has disrupted rehearsals to the point where the production has been seriously affected.

“The committee and cast made this decision with heavy hearts and would like to apologise and thank their loyal supporters who had already bought tickets.

“The Empire are in the process of sorting refunds through their booking office.

“We hope to return next year to present the panto and also hope to put on a late spring production.”

Empire Trust chairman Mike George added: “It is a very sad but understandable situation for the Stane Street Players and it was a tough decision they had to make.

“But we support their decision and look forward to hopefully bringing a spring production with them back to the theatre later in the year.

“Our best wishes go out to them”.

The theatre is issuing full refunds to those who bought tickets for the show.