THE show will go on for the Ermington Players, who are performing their panto this week after the venue they had planned to use was condemned just a fortnight ago.

The Players are putting on Treasure Island: Pratts of the Caribbean in the Devonport Playhouse in Plymouth after previous venue The Globe at Stonehouse Barracks was closed without warning.

Ermington Players have called The Globe home for a number of years, but at the end of January a structural survey of the historic theatre’s stage found it was unsafe.

The news was a shock to the group, but it also put this year’s panto on a shaky financial footing until new sponsorship was received from the Plymouth branch of recruitment consultants Reed Education. As a result, the Players have been able to invest in new sets, props and costumes, to put on the panto in the new venue.

Panto producer and actress Ann Roffe said: ’We are so pleased to be supported by Reed Education. As an amateur theatre group we have a limited budget to spend and this additional income has allowed us to invest in some fantastic props and costumes – making this one of our best shows to date. It is really great to see a corporate company looking to engage with and support the local community in such a way.’

Treasure Island: Pratts of the Caribbean is on at 7.30pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, February 16, 17 and 18.

Tickets are still available via the Players’ website: www.ermingtonplayers.org.uk/page4.html