The cast of Pinocchio, the Christmas show at the troubled Priestley Theatre, gathered in costume yesterday and made it clear the show will go on.

Administrators have been called in at the Little Germany theatre, but the Christmas and New Year season of shows will continue as normal.

Pinocchio producer Daniel Coll, from Brighouse, who plays Det Insp Frank Blackmore in the TV soap Emmerdale, has reiterated it is business as usual for all those involved in the show.

"I have spoken to Julian Pitts of the administrators and they have written to me assuring me it is business as usual at the theatre throughout the Christmas period," he said.

"We will be producing the show this Christmas and look forward to working with the theatre again once they have resolved the current problems.

"Pinocchio is a great show and all our tickets can be bought through www.ticket web.co.uk, which holds all money until people have seen the show. This means the public have a guarantee their money is safe.

"It's going to be a great production and fun story. The stage is alive with music and hilarity as a naughty wooden puppet sets out on the adventure of a lifetime.

"In Pinnochio's touching quest to become a real boy he meets a pesky cricket, the blue fairy, talking animals and is even swallowed by a whale. To top it all, when he tells a lie his nose grows another inch.

"With great music, magic and puppetry, Pinocchio promises to be a delight for the whole family at Christmas time."

Award-winning actor Liam Mower, who played Billy in the West End musical Billy Elliot, stars as Pinocchio. Liam is renewing his acquaintance with Daniel Coll, who played his father in the hit London show.

Dan O'Brein, who played Mr Whiteside in My Parents Are Aliens, also stars.

Tickets are available on 08700 600 100 and the show runs from Monday, December 17, to Sunday, December 30. There are no shows on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

The Telegraph & Argus reported last week how the battle was on to save the theatre from a third financial crisis.

A new management team is being sought, and administrator Begbies Traynor is looking at an overhaul of the venue's finances.

In 2001 the centre came close to closing with debts of £14,000, but a T&A campaign raised more than £11,000, with Bradford Council adding to the Save The Priestley fund to total £25,000.

Then in 2003, the theatre closed after its former board of directors proposed liquidation after struggling for more than a year to find the £60,000 it owed to creditors and funding to secure its future.

Bradford author JB Priestley was the first honorary president of the company. His son Tom is the current president.