The show is off – that's the message from the Teignmouth Players group, which was left 'angered and frustrated' after being told by Teignbridge Council that the Carlton Theatre, Teignmouth, is to be closed for the forseeable future due to serious health and safety concerns. The blow means the amateur theatre group has no venue to house its pantomime, Little Red Riding Hood, which was due to start on December 27. It also means that Shaldon Theatre Company's production of Jack And the Beanstalk – due to run at the theatre in January – is also in jeopardy. The closure follows the discovery of asbestos in the ceiling of the theatre, coupled with the threat of falling ceiling boards last week. It had been hoped that temporary arrangements could be made, but that was not the case. Further problems were also revealed when ceiling tiles fell unexpectedly in the bar area at the weekend, prompting concerns of for public safety. Building inspectors said that the recent severe weather was likely to have been behind some of the problems and any further bad weather could result in more damage to the theatre. Cllr. David Weekes, Teignbridge spokesman for community services said: 'It is a great shame that both the Teignmouth Players and the Shaldon Theatre Company will have to cancel their performances, but unfortunately there is no other viable course of action. The council has taken every measure possible to try to keep the theatre open, but now health and safety has to take priority. 'We take the safety of the public very seriously, and would not want to place anybody at risk by keeping the theatre open. 'We are very grateful to the Teignmouth Players for their co-operation in dealing with this matter, and continue to work with them to try to find a suitable alternative performance space for themselves and other groups.' The Players are putting the blame on landlord Teignbridge Council for its apparent lack of regard for external maintenance in the past. 'It is a great blow and tragedy,' said Rodney Bowen, committee member of the Teignmouth Players. 'The Players have been rehearsing for the pantomime for weeks and designing the sets. We've been selling tickets and it is of course the patrons that will be disappointed. 'We hope to run the pantomime in February, but that all depends on the theatre. 'A remedy has to be found to seal the tiles on the stage. 'We are responsible for the internal maintenance and Teignbridge Council are responsible for external maintenance. l From front page 'Over several years we've had leaks and contacted the council and they have taken remedial action, but only to the minimum when we've made a complaint.' In response, a Teignbridge Council spokesman added: 'The theatre was built more than 50 years ago and during that time considerable sums of money have been spent on its maintenance. 'The recent severe weather has resulted in water penetration, which has contributed towards the current temporary closure. 'We have worked closely with the Teignmouth Players, the lessees of the theatre, and will continue to do so in the hope that we can achieve a satisfactory conclusion.' Shaldon Theatre Company is also upset that it has had to cancel its pantomime. The news was broken to the cast on Tuesday evening by chairman Richard Hooper at a scheduled rehearsal evening in Shaldon. Pantomime director David Last, musical director Daniel Saint, and choreographer Danielle Hooper spent the evening trying to consol the cast, especially those children who had been looking forward to their first time on the stage. 'We are all so disappointed,' said Mr Hooper. 'The actors, singers, dancers, set builders, costume makers and all those involved who have put so much into making the pantomime another success are totally devastated. 'The committee will meet on Wednesday when we shall consider our future. There is no suitable alternative venue for our pantomime and we shall naturally have to put our any future plans on hold, while we try to work out a solution to this major problem.'
