The Skinny's Guide to Panto in Scotland

It's in front of you! Panto season! If you're completely overwhelmed about exactly which show to go to, The Skinny is here with a helpful guide of everything happening in pantomime and Christmas shows in the central belt this December

Feature by Emma Ainley-Walker | 04 Dec 2014

’Tis the season to gather up and head down to the theatre for a night of laughter, glitz and downright silliness. Pantomime season is very much ahead of us, and it’s almost impossible to miss. But sadly, not everyone was raised on class trips to the theatre, family nights yelling ‘oh no you didn’t’ with unbridled glee, or the knowledge that no matter what you’ve lost or who you’re looking for, it or they will always be just behind you. For some, pantomime is an alien world filled with inside jokes and glitter. Thankfully, The Skinny is here to help, with our guide to exactly what is happening in pantomime in Scotland this festive season, where the best shows are for which audiences, and what to do if pantomime really, just really, isn’t your thing. 

If it’s star power that you’re looking for in a pantomime then Glasgow is the city for you. The King’s Theatre Glasgow is this year showing Peter Pan, starring Greg McHugh as Smee. McHugh can be recognised from his role in Gary Tank Commander, or as Howard in Channel 4’s hugely successful Fresh Meat. He’ll be joined by Still Game’s Gavin Mitchell as the dastardly villain Hook and Des Clarke as Starkie. This will be McHugh’s pantomime debut, but for the Kings Theatre, Peter Pan marks 50 years since their first panto was shown in 1964.

Celebrating another anniversary, John Barrowman is returning to the SECC stage as Buttons in a qdos entertainment production of Cinderella, alongside The Krankies. This particular pantomime is likely to bring a little sparkle and romance to your festive season. It’s interesting to note that across the two biggest pantos in Glasgow, it is the male supporting character, and not the princess or the hero, who has, in casting at least, taken centre stage. While we can be sure that Barrowman and McHugh will both be front and centre of their respective pantomimes, it will be interesting to see how these two classic plays have been altered to make this happen, or whether their stars remain in the background. Maybe it will be Buttons after all who saves Cinderella, or Smee will rise up and defeat Hook, realising that children should not be placed in such danger. It’s unlikely, but then, anything could happen in panto season.

The Tron Theatre this year are presenting new work Miracle on 34 Parnie Street, written, directed by and featuring Johnny McKnight, who has written many a pantomime produced in Scotland. This offering is likely to be the most rooted in Scottish culture – particularly Glaswegian – of all the pantos there is to choose from. It tells the tale of Kristine Kringle, who not only gets a job in a department store as Santa, but claims to be the real Santa Claus, here to bring back the true meaning of Christmas. Expect lots of kitsch, lots of glitter and lots of glamour in this production. 

Over in Edinburgh, qdos entertainment are producing Aladdin at the King’s Theatre, with panto veterans Allan Stewart, Grant Stott and Andy Gray. This production is promising to make our wishes come true, and if it’s traditional panto you’re looking for then you can be sure the King’s Theatre will deliver. 

Musselburgh's Brunton are putting on Jack and the Beanstalk, written and directed by Mark Cox. Every year at the Brunton professional actors are joined and supported by young performers from the East Lothian area, making this one of the most community driven pantos on offer every festive season. This community focus is really what the fun, interactive nature of pantomime is about and really aims to foster a family spirit around the show. 

Also appealing to the family audience in Edinburgh is the St Andrew’s Square production of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much loved children’s book Stick Man. The production, presented by Scamp theatre, combines puppetry, songs, dancing and live music. It narrates the journey and the struggles of Stickman as he tries to get safely back to the Family Tree. The dangers he faces might not seem very high stakes to us, but to a stick everything is a worry. This play might not be traditional pantomime as such, but it’s a festive show for all the family to enjoy nonetheless.

Meanwhile, continuing the children’s book theme, the Lyceum Theatre are producing The BFG, adapted by David Wood and directed by Andrew Panton.  With the tagline, “This is where all dreams is beginning” and a trailer teasing lovely dreams blown into the minds of children, it seems like the Lyceum’s production of The BFG is going bring a little magic to a family night out this Christmas, but a little fear as well. Mixing the uncanny, fear, and ultimate heroism in his stories, Dhal speaks to exactly what children want. Remember your favourite fairytales? They were a lot darker and a lot scarier than you remember, and Roald Dahl’s works appeal to that childish fascination.

Shows based on Roald Dahl works have always been popular Christmas choices. David Wood’s Dahl adaptions have been touring successfully to family audiences for years. Following the theme, Dundee Reparatory Theatre are performing David Wood’s adaptation of James and the Giant Peach. The Rep promises us a tale for anyone who’s ever dreamed of escape. By placing a child at the centre of his stories as the hero, Dahl really brings his readers into his work, and in these two adaptions, we can be sure that a family audience will be just as pulled in to seeing these worlds come alive around their own children.

Outside of the pantomime sphere, there are still plenty of Christmassy shows around Scotland. If you’re really a Scrooge when it comes to panto, then maybe The Citizens' A Christmas Carol is the show for you. Directed by Dominic Hill, whose time at the Citz has produced some bold and imaginative shows, this production promises to melt even the coldest of hearts and leave all with the Christmas spirit. 

Taking a similar theme, The Arches are bringing The Little Boy that Santa Claus Forgot, written by Oliver Emanuel of Dragon success. Johnny, the forgotten boy, hates Christmas, but maybe Mr McGregor can save the day. The show is ideal for 3-8 year olds and their adults to enjoy together. 

Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre are bringing Slava’s Snowshow, the Russian clown show, fronted by Slava himself, returning after years of sell-out performances. The show attempts to recreate a sense of childlike wonder for adults, and appeal to the already wondrous minds of children. Famously, it culminates in a snow bombardement, with a manmade blizzard blasted into the audience. Slava’s Snowshow is definitely an experience unlike any other. 

And finally, also on offer at Festival Theatre is Scottish Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. 40 years since it first premiered, this ballet is perfectly suited to the Christmas period. It has been choreographed by Peter Darrell and reimaginied by the Olivier Award winning Lez Brotherson, whose design adds layers of Victoriana to the already sumptuous and dreamlike world of The Nutcracker.

There are more shows than you can shake a Stickman at this festive season, and there’s something there for everyone, so pick your favourite and book your tickets. It’s a guaranteed good time.