Gaping holes in Cromer Pier's decking and theatre floors, along with major damage to the box office, are putting the venue's Christmas show in jeopardy.
Show bosses were this morning upbeat that the festive show must do on.
But by lunchtime they were conceding the likelihood of getting the show back on soon was looking 'iffy.'
Pounding waves have put a gaping 5ft hole in the bar floor near the Christmas tree, which now peers down to the raging waves below.
A 'bus stop' bench on the side of the theatre has also been ripped up leaving another 12ft in the floor.
And the booking nerve centre in the box office at the landward end is totally devastated. The counter area is flooded, but the back office containing the computer booking systems is smashed, along with the souvenir shop next door.
There are also areas of pier decking which are missing or lifted making public access too dangerous.
Bruce Stratton, spokesman for pier operators Openwide, said the ability to get the theatre back open was down to North Norfolk District Council's ability to repair it quickly.
They could get the show running again if the flooring and box office could be repaired, but it was 'a bigger 'if' now,' he conceded.
The pier is closed, and people being urged to stay away from the promenade where a major clear up operation will be needed.
Headliner Olly Day said the damage to the pier was sad, but 'it is not as if we have lost our house and no one is hurt'.
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