A community panto is once again set to be staged at Strode Theatre this Christmas. But not by the local theatre group that performed there for decades, entertaining thousands of people, and raising thousands of pounds for charity and the theatre itself.

The award-winning Glastonbury and Street Musical Comedy Society (GSMCS) have been shunned by the theatre management, in favour of an in-house production by "Strode Theatre Productions." Although historically Strode Theatre did stage its own shows, for more than 10 years it has been principally used as a venue by outside organisations, and it is not clear when this new production company was formed.

The news has come as a blow to GSMCS, who had been told back in 2019 they would no longer be able to use the theatre for the Christmas pantomime as the decision had been taken to use a professional company instead, in a bid to maximise profits for the theatre. At the time the theatre issued a statement saying, "The theatre said the change of approach was necessary to protect the future of the venue, saying: "The Theatre operates in an increasingly difficult financial environment, with very little external support. This model is not sustainable in the long term and steps are being taken to preserve the theatre for future generations."

When the decision was originally taken, a campaign was launched to try to make the theatre change its mind, and keep the community panto at the community venue.

More than 2,000 signed a petition, which said: "In 1963, the Clarks Foundation (of the famous shoe-makers) opened Strode Theatre as a community facility. Now, almost 60 years later, it is shame that one of those community groups - right at its heart - looks set to replaced by a professional group."

An agreement was reached that one final pantomime – Cinderella – would be staged in 2020. But it was cancelled due to Covid so GSMCS were denied the opportunity for a farewell panto in the venue that had been its home for more almost 50 years.

Post pandemic, and with a change of management at the theatre, GSMCS made one last-ditch attempt to get their pantomime back at Strode, but were once again told that it was sticking by its decision to change the way it manages its Christmas programme, and therefore GSMCS would not be invited back to stage a pantomime.

Theatre fan Christian Lockyer, who has performed in many GSMCS productions, said, "I just don't understand what's going on. GSMCS is not a professional company, but its productions are of a very high standard. It paid the theatre for the use of the venue, and it shared the profits.

"Staging a pantomime is not cheap, and it takes a lot of work, so it's hard to see how producing the show themselves will be more beneficial to them. GSMCS has offered to return to Strode with the panto on several occasions, but they theatre clearly doesn't want it. If it's just that they don't like what GSMCS is doing then they should just come out and say it, and if it's simply about the money then discussions should be had on how to make a panto work for both sides.

"For a lot of members, including me, Strode Theatre is very much part of our performing home, and while we'd love to return, things continue to remain very uncertain at the moment."

Although GSMCS won't be staging a traditional panto this year, a group of members have formed an off-shoot theatre group to produce an alternative Christmas entertainment. The Glastonbury And Street Pottymouth Squad (GASPS) is bringing a new slant to the local panto scene with an adult pantomime that will be performed in venues across the county.

Strode Theatre have not responded to requests for comment.