A PANTOMIME with a star-studded cast was prematurely ended after the venue’s roof began to leak, causing concerns for the safety of audience members.

The Adult Panto performance of Sinderella at The Roxy in Ulverston on Saturday night was paused during the second half when water began to drop on a member of the audience.

Divina De Campo, star of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, then took to the stage to apologise that the show must be cancelled because of technical errors.

She said it would return to Ulverston in October with The Little Mermaid, to which she was met with huge applause.

During the performance, the behaviour of some of the audience came into question with one member of the audience inciting a small fight, which was rapidly dealt with.

A panto-goer said: “The show itself was amazing, it’s just really unfortunate about the roof and the people who kept interrupting the panto.”

Producer Joe Purdy, from Barrow, said: “Unfortunately we did have to end the show ten minutes early.

“This was due to rain drops coming through the ceiling into the auditorium. Unfortunately the audiences’ safety was paramount so this was essential.

“After a theatre ceiling fully collapsed in a theatre in London in November 2019; you can understand we just couldn’t take any risk.”

Charles Morris, the proprietor at The Roxy, said: “I think it’s fair to say that Storm Ciara found tracks on our roof where other storms haven’t.

“We had one or two drips which the promoters got panicky about.

“We have closed off the front of the cinema as a precaution but it is nothing to worry about.

“It was a lively and boisterous audience and we were called to quieten people.

“There was an incident at the end of the night but I am unsure of what happened. There were members of staff watching the show and quietening people down.”