Following extensive discussions to ensure the continued success and long-term future of the Marina Theatre, it has been agreed that the Marina, owned by Waveney District Council, will present a professional pantomime production this year. It will run for approximately three weeks from mid December to early January.

Negotiations between management at the Marina Theatre and the Lowestoft Players, a leading local society, have resulted in an agreement being reached to move the date of the Lowestoft Players' annual pantomime to late January. This will allow the theatre to stage a full-scale professional pantomime, enabling it to compete with other regional venues, provide a much-needed financial boost and help attract new audiences to the theatre.

In addition, the venue has agreed favourable terms for the Lowestoft Players, to enable them to continue presenting their popular musicals and pantomime during the next three years, in the spring, autumn and festive season respectively.

As a pantomime is a key event in any theatre's annual diary, it has been agreed that the way forward will be for the venue to stage its own professional pantomime over the peak holiday period. This will help provide a significantly higher number of performances both for schools and on peak days including Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.

The Marina Theatre’s management has recognised the enormous contribution the Lowestoft Players have made to the provision of live theatre in the town and also the society's significant financial contribution to the Marina from its own pantomime productions. They were therefore very keen to come to an agreement that ensured the Lowestoft Players would continue performing - providing a valuable contribution to community theatre in Lowestoft.