Firstly Panto doesn't happen in August.

Secondly we're seeing theatres operating successfully without social distancing measures in other countries.

Thirdly musicals and plays often hold auditions/cast at shorter notice than pantomimes. Meaning given the circumstances casting in September or October is entirely possible. The UK and the US have some of the longest "pre-production" timescales compared to shows in other countries.

Fourthly if pantomime doesn't happen this Christmas we could see the loss of venues and also companies. A lot of venues rely heavily on the income from panto. The panto companies themselves use the income from Christmas to cover their year round overheads such as Office staff, storage of costumes and sets, etc. ALSO during this time pantomime companies are seeing their Head Office and warehouse wages being covered by the government's furlough agreement so are in a healthier place than usual financially.

The majority of venues use the same sets, costumes, effects and even scripts from previous years. IF needed Pantomime could theoretically be put together at shorter notice this year JUST to get it on.

In terms of disposable income we're seeing a LOT of families and individuals who are receiving 100% or 80% of their usual income through furlough and also aren't spending as much due to lack of travel, coffee shops and eateries, cinemas, etc. So there could be a little more cash flying around this christmas than we think from our audiences.