General manager of the Corn Hall in Diss asks theatre goers to book tickets ‘as far in advance as possible’ after show cancellations

The manager of a town theatre has asked people to book tickets ‘as far in advance as possible’ over fears of its reputation being damaged after cancelled performances.

The Corn Hall, in Diss, has been forced to call off three performances and postpone another this year due to a low number of advanced sales.

Lee Johnson, 47, is general manager at the theatre in St Nicholas Street, which is run by the Diss Corn Hall Trust – a charity dedicated to the promotion of the performing arts.

Mr Johnson said that as a charity, they needed people to book further in advance to work out if a show was financially feasible.

“I am quite concerned by it all. We receive no external funding, unlike other places,” he said.

“We have to make sure every ticket that comes in goes towards the artists and our running costs.

“We’re really well supported and I am incredibly grateful for that, but there’s a definite need for people to help us and get tickets as far in advance as possible. It does make a difference.

“Let’s say we have 50 people booked in, but then we could have 50 people that turn up. We need to plan as best we can, like bringing in the right staffing for the bar or café.

“It might seem a little bit odd, but if you see something and you know you’d like to see it, I’d urge that person to book it there and then.

“Take that risk and buy a ticket for a show.”

Mr Johnson was operations manager at the Corn Hall during the coronavirus pandemic from 2019 to 2021 and, after a few years of working elsewhere, he returned to the venue in November.

Despite his plea for theatre goers to book tickets earlier, Mr Johnson, who lives in Lowestoft, knows it is not always realistic.

He said: “I totally appreciate that some people don’t know what they’re doing in months to come.

“Of course cost of living is a factor for so many people and I’m also very aware we are living in a time where we are falling victim to Netflix and other services at the press of a button.

“All venues were impacted by the pandemic and I think people are still reeling a little bit from it too.

“We are only three years fully out of the pandemic and some people are still in the habit of thinking things will get cancelled and are waiting later and later to see if something is going to go ahead.”

In order to help theatre fans, the Corn Hall has offered families the chance to pay in installments ahead of its pantomime adaptation of Beauty and the Beast in December.

Families can pay in three instalments of £20, £20 and £25.

Mr Johnson said: “I’m in this business to make sure people have a good time, and people have a good time by having lots of people around them in the theatre.

“I want people to come here and say what a fantastic experience they had and that they want to return.

“I hate cancelling shows and I’d rather postpone things, but sometimes our hands are forced by the producer as they won’t make money.

“I worry about the reputation that will follow us if there are more cancellations. People will look at that and think what’s going to stop us from cancelling another show again.”

Mr Johnson added: “I’m just hopeful that we can continue doing what we do as smoothly as possible moving forwards.”