MAMA pulls annual revue
M.A.M.A’s Spotlight Awards postponed
Rising costs and low ticket sales have forced the Musselburgh Amateur Musical Association to postpone its planned revue, the MAMA Spotlight Awards at Portobello Town Hall.
The revue was intended to run from Thurs 18 to Sat 20 April 2024 evenings, with a Saturday matinee. However, the company announced on Sunday April 7 that they had taken the “really difficult decision to postpone” the show, amid “rising costs & lower than anticipated ticket sales”.
The MAMA Spotlight Awards at Portobello Town Hall has been postponed.
MAMA was founded in 1950, performing a Spring musical every year since. In recent years it has staged a revue in January at the Brunton, often including a good number of highlights from their forthcoming show.
Since the closure of their regular venue, the Brunton Theatre last year due to discovery of RAAC – the so-called “crumbling concrete” (Brunton RAAC Update) – MAMA has attempted to perform their shows in other local venues. Including the successful 24 hour Musical at Portobello Town Hall this March (see review).
The company say: “However, the cost of creating a theatre space (including lighting, staging and sound) has risen greatly to the point where we sadly cannot continue, given our lower than anticipated ticket sales for the show.”
struggling
Becky Duncan-Skelton, MAMA president, adds: “Honestly, losing the Brunton Theatre has been a tragic loss for Musselburgh and East Lothian. We know we are just one of many local arts groups who are struggling because of the lack of performance space in the county which local companies are able to use.
“MAMA is going to be 75 years old next season, and we really need to find another venue for us to be based so we can stage this revue and also future performances. Help is urgently needed from the community in Musselburgh to support this vital community charity.”
The company says it is working hard to find a venue that will be suitable to stage this year’s revue. Any news of where and when this might be will be shared on its Social Media platforms.
Anyone who has purchased a ticket for the MAMA Spotlight Awards should contact MAMA at Mamatreasurer8@gmail.com to arrange for either a ticket transfer; to convert their booking to a donation to MAMA’s charity; or to request a refund.
MAMA website: www.mama-musical.co.uk
Facebook: @mamamusselburgh
X: @mamamusselburgh
Instagram: @mamamusselburgh
MAMA made the announcement public on Facebook:
ENDS
