A THEATRE company which brought the tradition of seaside repertory plays back to Bournemouth has made the “heartbreaking” decision to cancel.

The London Repertory Players were due to bring five plays to Boscombe’s Shelley Theatre, starting on July 29.

They had lined up the thrillers Who Killed ‘Agatha’ Christie? and Deathtrap, Noel Coward’s comedy Fallen Angel and JB Priestley’s I Have Been Here Before.

But the coronavirus crisis has forced the company to call off its visit.

Vernon Thompson, the producer who has been bringing the plays to Bournemouth since 2016, said he hoped to put on the same season in 2021 instead.

He said: “I have very reluctantly and sadly cancelled this year's summer season, in negotiation with the Shelley.”

He said he had “left it as long as I could” and that he and venue manager Zoe Dunne had tried to make the season happen.

“But even if this were possible, social distancing measures would have to be enforced, as well as there being the risk of a company member showing symptoms and therefore closing down the season immediately,” he added.

“And of course there is the understandable reluctance of audiences to visit theatres. All in all it means the decision to cancel had to be taken.

“It's heartbreaking as I feel this was the best season overall with a fantastic company assembled. But time will go by and next summer we hope to stage this season, lock stock and barrel, just 12 months late.”

The players had revived the tradition of repertory theatre, with actors performing one play at night while rehearsing the next one during the day. Plays were changed midweek, so that holiday makers visiting for a week could see two shows.

Review: Talking Heads, Shelley Theatre, Boscombe

Review: Private Lives, Shelley Theatre, Boscombe

Mr Thompson said he would provide an update on the 2021 plans closer to Christmas.

People who have already bought tickets will be contacted by the theatre about refunds or can ask for their money to be credited against the 2021 season.

In an email to supporters, he said: “We hope you will miss us as we will most certainly miss you.”