‘The show will go on!’ That is the defiant message from officials at the under-threat Horncastle Theatre Company.

The future of the company is in doubt after it was given notice to vacate its headquarters at the Lion Theatre in the centre of town.

The closure notice is thought to be part of plans by owners of the Red Lion public house to sell the entire site.

Following the closure of the Red Lion in 2013, the theatre company has continued to put on plays.

That’s despite the fact they have not had a gas supply for the last seven months as a consequence of on-going doubts about the future of the Red Lion.

However, theatre company chairman Shirley Moffat confirmed they now had written notice that they must leave the theatre by February 10 – pending the sale of the Red Lion which is apparently scheduled to take place by auction at the end of February.

The CEO of RBNB, the company which owns the Red Lion, has indicated that all 31 of the company’s public houses are being offered for sale at the same time.

The Theatre Company is currently seeking legal advice and has also sought the help of East Lindsey District Council who recently listed the theatre as a Community Asset under the Localism Act.

The Theatre Company, a registered charity, is deeply saddened by the impending loss of their theatre which was built by members over 28 years ago.

In the meantime, the company continues to rehearse ‘Cinderella’ which opens on January 28. Mrs Moffat said: The company hopes that if this has to be the last panto’ they perform at The Lion Theatre, it will be their best.”

Mrs Moffat went on to tell the News that she hopes the theatre will continue in Horncastle – either at it’s current home or new premises.

Hwoever, she admitted the future was ‘uncertain.’