***** (5 stars)
“Scotland’s Wee ‘Est Panto is a Triumph!”
One of Scotland’s true pantomime hidden treasures is the intimate King’s Theatre on the esplanade in Kirkcaldy especially its annual “Wee” pantomime which notches up its fifth year with the regular team returning. Following last years five start “Ya Wee Dickie McWhittington” the gang are back the King’s with a simply sublime “Oor Wee Mammy McGoose” proving that Scotland’s wee’est panto is a triumph with the biggest heart!
Once again written by Mark McDonnell who also stars as “Bampot” this is a thrilling adventure reinvention of the mother goose story. Mammy McGoose, the legendary and beloved dame, Billy Mack who once again proves he is at the top of his game, owns the links market fun fair in Kirkcaldy. Johnny Waltzer, Ross McKenzie, spins the Waltzer’s but is also in love with Mammy’s daughter Frankie McGoose, Sarah Brown Cooper, and there’s Bampot, who is Mammy’s assistant and boy does Mammy need Bampot’s help as the evil Madamme Roxette, the divine Shona White wants the links market for herself. With a little help from a golden egg laying goose the gang set out on adventure that takes them from Kirkcaldy to Blackpool and back again as they seek to save the market and discover true love in all its forms!
Quite simply panto doesn’t come much better than Oor Wee Mammy McGoose thanks to McDonnell’s exquisite writing, that blends the rich heart of great pantomime with a love for the town the venue inhabits, this is very much a panto for and about Kirkcaldy but also opens its heart to all visitors with up to the date topical references and abundance of comedy and musical choices that captures audiences of all ages. Director Suzi Budd has delivered a panto firing on all cylinders and yes the intimate King’s cant pull off the dazzling special effects of much bigger venues but Budd ensures her wonderful cast bring the right blend of panto magic alongside making sure every inch of the space is used to its full potential.
Performances are uniformly excellent with one of Scotland’s greatest working dames Billy Mack proving once again what a traditional man in a dress dame can and should be. A plethora of ever-increasing whacky frock’s, excellent comedy timing and rich line in pathos ensure Mack is truly a dame of dames. Mark McDonnell shines as the comedy foil in the role of “Bampot” as his line of “knock knock” jokes get ever increasing groans however it really works for the show. Sarah Brown Cooper is wonderful in the “princess” role, but she can sing and charms the audience in sublime fashion. The gorgeous Ross McKenzie brings a 50’s Elvis style polish to the role of Johnny Waltzer and he has the vocal and acting chops to shine every moment he is on stage. Graham Scott takes on puppetry duties playing Gus Goose a couthy but always funny goose. Special mention must go to Shona White who is simply outstanding as Madamme Roxette she delivers the right does of evil without stepping over the line of terrifying the kids but what a voice! Its pure west end joy as she belts out a cleverly re-written take on Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab” that has the audience in stitches.
Production wise its once again a tour de force triumph with John Lithgow wonderfully multicoloured set design being beautifully lit by Lewis Milne’s full throttle lighting design to ensures the show really pops the eye! Musical Director Stephen Roberts once again delivers in spades as his live keyboard accompaniment is blended with a prerecorded click track that gives the show wonderfully full sound that’s aided but an on point sound design.
Oor Wee Mammy McGoose really does prove that sometimes smaller is better and it can tap into the true heart of what brilliant pantomime can be and this year just before the song sheet a brave choice is made as the cast reflect on the years gone by in Kirkcaldy but also the hope for the future especially as every summer the Links Market still rolls into town to bring the same level of joy that the wee panto does each Christmas.
Due to the intimate nature of the show this is one panto which will sell out! So be sure to grab those tickets and join Mammy on a golden adventure of a lifetime as the Wee team once again prove that panto doesn’t get much better than this!
Oor Wee Mammy McGoose, The King’s Theatre, Kirkcaldy runs until Saturday 10th January 2026 for more information and tickets go to: Pantomime | The King’s KDY
ScotsGay Arts 