The decision comes after the Federal Government on Wednesday moved to ban all indoor non-essential public gatherings of over 100 people.

As the community theatre has a 141 seat capacity, it had hoped to continue its productions when the ban was for gatherings of more than 500 people.

Nowra Players now joins a large number of events across the Shoalhaven and country which are being cancelled due to coronavirus.

Mamma Mia director and Nowra Players president Alyson Whiteoak was shattered when she had to make the decision to cancel the remaining performances.

"I'm numb, our team has put nearly five months worth of work into the show - blood, sweat and tears. It's just the most amazing group of individuals," Ms Whiteoak said.

"I'm torn... but ultimately, you've got to make the right decisions for our people in the community."

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Nowra Players committee member Lesley Carter said it was disappointing for the audience but at the end of the day safety was most important.

"We have to be safe and while all the patrons still were willing to come, as soon as the government advises that it's no longer safe then you've got to do what you got to do," she said.

"It's going to disappoint a lot of people because a lot of people are very brave but we do have an elderly audience a lot of the time too, so we have to take care of them."

A final decision on future shows has yet to be made as the coronavirus situation is changing day by day.

"We may have to set all the shows back or skip one show - we'll have to see what the cast availability is and talk to the copyright holders about changing dates," Ms Carter said.

Mamma Mia's director said she had received some amazing emails and phone calls from the community in support of the decision. Some theatre-goers had even offered to donate their tickets so drama class could continue running.

All Nowra Player ticket holders will be contacted by the box office and will be offered refunds or credits to other shows.

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