HAZLITT THEATRE: Christmas panto is ON this year - full details

Thursday 4th March 2021

THE Hazlitt Theatre pantomime is ON this Christmas, Daily Downs Mail can reveal.

There will be more than 60 shows at the end of the year but management of the Parkwood Theatres-run playhouse have yet to reveal the star names who will take to the stage for Jack and the Beanstalk

Ticket holders from last year can swap for this year's performances.

Late last year local people faced the very real prospect of losing the Hazlitt.

HAZLITT SAVED FROM CLOSURE AFTER MASSIVE PUBLIC OUTCRY AT COUNCIL PLAN

Maidstone Borough Council attempted to sack Parkwood and “mothball” the venue to save money lost as a result of falling revenues caused by COVID-19.

After a massive public backlash and a campaign launched by Daily Downs Mail, the council was forced to back down in January. 

HAZLITT PUMPS £5MILLION INTO LOCAL ECONOMY

But the authority retained the right to challenge Parkwood’s performance in the future and a review is due in April.

Jonathan Purle, Tory councillor and architect of the political fightback which reversed the original MBC decision to shut the Hazlitt, said: “Be warned - there’s still uncertainty and we must continue to guard against any further council initiatives that might result in a loss of key theatre jobs or the mothballing of the Hazlitt itself.”

FULL STORY IN THE LATEST EDITION OF DOWNS MAIL - OUT TODAY

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