A leading Carlisle youth theatre group have said the show must go despite the 'devastating' closure of the Sands Centre.

The Sands Centre auditorium is set to be closed for the majority of 2024 because of concrete problems within the roof.

StagedRight had booked The Sands Centre for July 2024 to perform the Broadway and West End musical BARNUM which is based on the life of The Greatest Showman, P.T. Barnum.

“The closure of The Sands is yet another devasting blow to our young people, audiences, and the cultural heart of the city," Director David McNeill said.

"StagedRight is only just rebuilding audiences after Covid and now we find ourselves without a venue big enough to stage Barnum which is a lavish show and requires space to cater for a live band, circus tricks, hundreds of costumes and a cast of 90."

StagedRight's latest, lavish production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang impressed audiences and their shows have become eagerly anticipated in Carlisle's cultural calendar. 

For the past few months, StagedRight owners David and Sallie McNeill have been looking at potential venues in the hope of saving the show.

“It has been a nightmare,” said David. “We have considered everything from barns to warehouses, but we kept coming back to cost.

"To stage a production is expensive enough but to create a theatre in an empty space requires everything from portable toilets for the public and cast, to lighting, generators, and seating.

"The list is endless, and the future of the show looked bleak”.

BARNUM will however go ahead thanks to the overwhelming support of Eden Golf Club, Garden at Eden and Skitby House.

BARNUM will now take to the Circus marquee at Eden Golf Club from Friday, July 12 to Sunday, July 14 with matinee and evening performances on the Saturday and Sunday.

In addition to the spectacular production which will be set around the circus ring, audiences will be able to enjoy food and drink in a variety of ways including VIP packages.

Tickets are set to go on sale in the new year.