The theatre company which last year brought the first professional pantomime to Arbroath is considering taking legal action against Angus Council after its plans for a repeat performance this year were scuppered when a rival production company was hired and promptly appointed its leading man.
Theatremaster, which brought former Dollar star and I’m a Celebrity… contestant David van Day to Arbroath last year to star in Aladdin, claims its negotiations to return to the town with a production of Cinderella came to a sudden halt when it was told Bruce James Productions would be staging Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, with River City’s David Paisley as Chuckles the Jester.
Karie Musson of Theatremaster said, “We were all set to do Cinderella and had gone as far as contracting David Paisley and some of the other cast members and purchasing costumes and sets.
“Then, midway through the discussions and negotiations with the theatre, it came to our attention that another production company were going to be doing Snow White at Arbroath.
“The news came completely out of the blue as one day the theatre said they didn’t know what they were going to do and the next they told us that they had someone else in place.”
She added, “We were very upset not just for ourselves at losing out on the chance to make a return visit to Arbroath but also for the local community, who I’m sure would have loved our show.
“We have tried to get some explanation as to what has happened from Angus Council but we are still none the wiser as to why our plans did not go ahead.
“I think everyone would agree that we put on a fantastic show last year when we brought David van Day to Arbroath to star in Aladdin at the Webster Theatre. We boosted the theatre’s standing and feel very aggrieved that we weren’t given the chance to come back.”
Ms Mason said, “At the moment we are looking into how we stand legally but we know that this situation simply could not have arisen in England.
“This is not something we are going to back down from as our company’s reputation is important to us.”
A council spokesman said, “We fully expect that this year’s pantomime will prove as enjoyable and popular as last year’s show.
“Earlier plans to stage Cinderella, produced by Theatremaster, at the Webster Theatre did not progress as the council was unable to reach a satisfactory financial agreement with the company.”
Photo courtesy of www.webstertheatre.co.uk