Hunstanton's Princess Theatre 'will survive' message as cinema screenings lined up

Hunstanton's Princess Theatre will survive the coronavirus pandemic as it is the "heart of the town" according to the proprietor of the venue.

Cinema showings will begin on July 14 after 64 per cent responded to a mailing list saying they would like to return for these.

But Brian Hallard, who took over the running of the theatre in 2012, said he cannot envisage theatre performances returning until at least January.

Mr Hallard said: "It [coronavirus] will be damaging. I took it on eight-years-ago as a hobby; I love doing it and I am not going to let this thing take it down.

"It's the little companies looking after three or four cinemas who earn money three or four weeks in the summer and six weeks for the pantomime who I feel sorry for. A lot of theatres will not have a pantomime any more.

"The Princess Theatre will survive. It's the heart of the town and it brings people in. It does not ask anything of people in the town and it brings in more footfall. I just love theatre."

All the staff are currently furloughed and Mr Hallard admitted theatres will be affected when these government payments stop.

Among the safety measures in place for the cinema screenings are markings on the floor, temperature checks when entering the building, hand sanitiser machines and a one-way system including people going up one staircase and leaving via another.

The venue will be showing films twice a week from July 14, and if this proves to be popular then Mr Hallard said it will increase to three, four times a week.

The first film being shown will be the Military Wives with Kinky Boots and musicals from the West End also scheduled.

A statement on the theatre's website says: "As you are aware, the Princess Theatre is a small venue that relies upon its volunteers to keep it operational.

"We, of course, do not want to put it in jeopardy. Please can we ask you for your continued support to take up the offer of the new dates when they become available or a credit note, rather than request a refund."

Mr Hallard said people have been "really supportive" during the pandemic with some customers saying the theatre can keep the money for cancelled performances.