THE future of long-standing theatre productions in Bolton are at risk due to delays over booking the Albert Hall.

Bolton’s drama community says groups have been left in limbo as a decision on rent prices has yet to be made for the hall following its £6.5 million renovation.

Farnworth Performing Arts Company, Bolton Premier Productions and Bolton Catholic and Musical Society (BCMS) have been waiting since the closure of the town centre facility in early 2015.

Sandra Blyth, production coordinator for musicals at Farnworth has struggle to find a suitable alternative venue in the town.

After the hall reopened this year, the company had been booked to perform Hairspray in April.

However a decision was taken not to put on theatre shows until the pantomime this winter and the booking was cancelled.

Mrs Blyth said: “If we can’t do a show at the Albert Hall, although the Farnworth society has been running now for 85 years, last year, it looks as though we may have to scrap the musical section.

“We just can’t find a venue where we can put on the type of show we do.

“It can cost £20,000 to £25,000 to put on a show - that includes proper lighting and sound - so sometimes you are lucky to break even with the costs.

“After a number of years not doing a show we don’t even know if we will get the audience back. It is all a bit of a gamble.”

Interested groups say they were told a management committee was going to be formed which help arrange shows at the hall - which is based at Bolton Town Hall.

However, they have yet to hear anything more and there are fears the hall may increase its rents which the societies - which rely on fundraising to pay for shows - could not afford.

Mrs Blyth added: “It has been 30 years since we went to the Albert Hall. In my view we were the first society to come out the school hall and take a gamble on the hall.

“We had a thriving musical society with 50 odd people on stage, with an orchestra, and a fantastic musical production at the hall.

“I don’t think we could get 50 people back now, I don’t know what will happen now.”

Bolton Amateur Theatre Societies (BATS) has been negotiating costs.

Chairman Paul Cohen said: “”The shows will be back for 2018 but no bookings can be taken until the partnership is in place.

“At the end of the day we need to know what is going on. We are getting poor service, they say they want to work with us but we don’t hear anything.

“There’s a thriving amateur performance scene but no investment at all, which is really unfortunate.

“It’s a nightmare. Bolton has the highest number of societies, be it choirs, orchestras, drama groups, but the council does not seem interested. It can be a jewel in the crown for live theatre!”

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said:”We are currently putting together proposals for pricing for rental of the Albert Hall in 2018, which will be considered by the Executive Member later this year.

“After the pricing has been approved, we will share it with all the local theatres and amateur dramatic societies.”