A panto production company based in Barrow has said it is 'devastated' following the Forum Theatre's announcement that it will close for six months.

Barrow Panto said it was both 'shocked and devastated' to learn of the closure whilst specialist work is carried out to remove asbestos from the venue.

Further surveys following the discovery of the toxic substance in its backstage area have meant the closure is necessary to protect staff, performers and the public. 

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The rest of The Forum, including the café and studio/meeting rooms, is unaffected and will remain open and available to the public.

Wherever feasible, Forum staff are hoping to re-schedule or re-locate shows and events scheduled to take place in The Forum theatre during the next six months.

For the Barrow Panto production company however, this means their Christmas performance is affected. 

A post created on its Facebook page on Thursday, Barrow Panto said: "We are both shocked and devastated to learn of the closure of the Forum Theatre this morning for a period of the next six months whilst specialist work is undertaken to remove the asbestos

"This will mean that our planned Christmas pantomime, Sleeping Beauty, will be unable to go ahead in the main theatre.

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"As the old saying goes - 'the show must go on' and we were currently working with the Forum to look at all options of how we can present a pantomime or Christmas show this festive season in some capacity.

"Please bare with us over the next week as we explore our next steps in this unexpected situation and we hope to have an update to you by the end of the month. Thank you."

Other shows may need to be cancelled, according to Westmorland and Furness Council, which owns and manages The Forum.

Anyone who has already purchased tickets for a show during this period should check The Forum website.