MUSSELBURGH Amateur Musical Association (MAMA) has been forced to postpone its upcoming musical revue.

The show was due to take place from next Thursday to next Saturday (April 18-20) at Portobello Town Hall.

The company cited rising costs and lower-than-anticipated ticket sales for the “difficult decision” to postpone ‘M.A.M.A Spotlight Awards’ – a night of songs from the world of rock, film and musicals.

Members have been rehearsing up to three times per week since January and the charity hopes to find a suitable local performance space to allow the revue to be staged in the “very near future”.

Anyone who has bought a ticket should contact MAMA at Mamatreasurer8@gmail.com to arrange a ticket transfer, convert their booking to a donation to the charity or request a refund.

MAMA said it had been searching for a more permanent performance space since the closure of The Brunton in Musselburgh last year following a roof survey.

MAMA president Becky Duncan-Skelton said: “Honestly, losing The Brunton has been a tragic loss for Musselburgh and East Lothian.

READ MORE: Concerns raised for the future of the Brunton Hall

“We know we are just one of many local arts groups who are struggling because of the lack of performance space in the county which local companies are able to use.

“MAMA is going to be 75 years old next season and we really need to find another venue for us to be based so we can stage this revue and also future performances.

“Help is urgently needed from the community in Musselburgh to support this vital community charity.”

She said costs for putting on a live show at Portobello Town Hall had gone “up and up and up” as the group had to provide technical infrastructure such as staging, lighting and sound, as well as all the front-of-house staff, bar staff, ticket systems and box office, on top of rehearsals, learning words and music. She added that the costs were “triple” the cost of using The Brunton.

'So little choice'

She added: “When The Brunton closed and we started looking for new venues, we had so little choice.

“Haddington was too far away from our key audience group and members with poor travel connections.

“We looked at church halls, schools, community centres, but none of them could accommodate us or were too small.

“Loretto Theatre, where we have been in the past, had not made a decision on whether to take any more bookings so, when Portobello was offered, we thought that it would solve our problems.

“We had hoped that our very loyal Musselburgh base would still travel to us and we could attract more audience from Portobello itself. That has not been the case.

“Our audience base have shown us they want us back in Musselburgh, where we are a respected and loved part of the arts scene.

“Whilst Portobello Town Hall is beautiful, it is unworkable at present for small amateur companies such as us, as it is priced out of reach.

“We currently have 70 members from ages 10 to 90-plus from all walks of life who are committed and passionate about what the arts can do in bringing people together, learning new skills, friendship and support and singing, dancing and acting as an ensemble.

“This ethos has been the same since a group from the Co-op started it in 1951.

“We just want a new venue, so if anyone can help, please let us know.”