THE two week run of Mayflower Theatre's Sleeping Beauty this Christmas has been cancelled just days after it got under way. 

Theatre staff are devastated after being forced to cancel the socially distanced pantomime just two days after the curtain was raised on the attempt to reopen the theatre to live performance. 

The show, starring funnyman Joe Pasquale and Birds of a Feather actress Lesley Joseph, was due to run until Sunday January 3 after opening on Saturday. 

Read more: Monday's performances of Mayflower Theatre panto Sleeping Beauty cancelled

Chief executive Michael Ockwell explained that a 'couple of members of the cast had been indisposed' and thanked customers for their 'overwhelming support' for the theatre's 'attempt to reopen this Christmas'.

A spokesman said: "Due to the indisposition of cast members from Sleeping Beauty, the nature of the socially distanced production, and the news of increased transmissibility of Coronavirus in the South, Qdos Pantomimes and Mayflower Theatre have made the difficult decision to cancel all remaining performances of Sleeping Beauty.

"We are incredibly sorry for the disappointment this will have caused."

All customers will be offered a full refund.