A Reading theatre group is set to be £35,000 worse off after positive coronavirus tests forced the organisation to cancel its new show. 

The RABBLE Theatre, formerly known as Reading Between The Lines, was running a show called ‘Who Killed Alfred Oliver?’ from November 4 to November 24 at Reading Minster. 

But two positive coronavirus tests have forced the theatre group to scrap the production. 

In a statement, a RABBLE spokesperson said: “It is with a heavy heart that we must let you know that we have had to cancel our production of Who Killed Alfred Oliver?

“The reason for this is that two key members of the company have received positive PCR tests.

“We have assessed whether we can replace the poorly members, but the costs incurred, plus the risk of further infection among the remaining company, negate this option.

“We hate to say it, but this puts RABBLE in a perilous position. We had successfully navigated our way though the last 2 years (and the 7 before the pandemic) under immense pressure and had felt so optimistic after the success of The Last Abbot, the development of our education and community work and the lovely responses that we have been getting from the first few nights of this show. 

“The people involved – cast, crew, suppliers, sponsors, Minster team, Reading library, museum and station – are just incredible and the extra work that they have all contributed to making this show successful is staggering, so it is deeply upsetting that so many good people will lose income because of this.

“RABBLE Theatre does not receive any core funding, from Reading Borough Council or the Arts Council, so this really is a challenging time and the financial success of this production was dependent on ticket sales alone. That is very rare in regional theatre.

“We are looking at the option of postponing the show until next year, but nothing more can be said at this stage.

“Some bereft audience members have already come forward to ask how they can help us cover the anticipated £35,000 loss.”

A donation page has been set up to support the theatre group here: https://rabbletheatre.com/patrons-supporters/

Those who have purchased tickets to the show can support the group by donating the cost of their refund to RABBLE, the statement added. 

Tobi and Dani Davies, the artistic and executive directors of RABBLE, said patrons could also support the group by booking for the group’s upcoming The Snow Queen show, which runs from December 3 to December 24.