TRIPS to the theatre are the latest casualty of the Cronavirus outbreak for local fans.

The management at Malvern Festival Theatres has just announced that following government regulations the Festival and Forum Theatres, as well as the cinema will be closing their doors temporarily for the first time in more than two decades to help stop the spread of the virus.

Where possible, shows are being rearranged and ticket holders for cancelled shows will be contacted. The online box office will operate as usual and credit notes or refunds are available over the telephone.

Ticket holders are encouraged, where able, to consider exchanging their tickets for a future performance, or gifting the ticket as a donation to the theatre.

Only one per of the theatre's running costs are publicly funded and they rely on ticket sales, among other things, to operate.

The theatre group’s chief executive, Nic Lloyd, said: “The safety of our audiences, staff, actors, and performers, is of paramount importance to us and, in line with other organisations, we are temporarily closing our doors.

“This will be a difficult time, but we are well-prepared and will use this period to ensure that the theatre reopens with aplomb when the time comes.

I’m certain that audiences will continue to support us as they always have done, for which we are very grateful. He added:  “Malvern's strength and community spirit is renowned and now, more than ever, we must pull together.

I look forward to welcoming everyone back to the theatre once we are advised that it is safe to do so.”