Author: Brett Herriot

***** (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 10^th January 2026 for more information and tickets go to: Pantomime | The King’s KDY

*** (3 stars)

“Filled with magical Whimsey”

Edinburgh based BTC Productions (previously Balerno Theatre Company) celebrate their silver jubilee year with a brand-new pantomime production of the classic tale, Beauty and The Beast, written and directed by Lewis Baird, choreographed by Sophie Douglas and musical direction by James McCutcheon which takes to the stage of the Church Hill Theatre Edinburgh for a week long run.

This is a panto that is filled with magical Wimsey in spades however its also a show that’s far too long and plot heavy which is more an issue with the writing as the dedication to the plot reduces the ability to include real panto ingredients. Act one coming in at one hour twenty-five minutes is excessively long for panto and Baird must trust in his writing that even the smallest audience member knows of the plot of beauty and the beast thanks to the Disney classic movie and dial the plot back in order to deliver true panto magic. That said the resetting of the story to “Auld Reekie” and altering the leads to Belle McTavish, a stellar performance from Kirsten Keggie and Dame Brenda McTavish a totally show stealing performance from George Mackie is ingenious in bringing the show to the company’s hometown.

Performances are uniformly excellent with George Mackie’s “Dame Brenda” really being the scene stealing triumph as he delivers an Edinburgh Dame with a big heart, excellent comedy timing and sails close to be almost drag queen with ridiculously high heels but he always lets the fact there is man in the dress shine through. Kirsten Keggie is wonderful as “Belle” with honey-soaked vocals and when “that” ball gown is revealed with a nice touch of magic it brings the aahs a plenty from the audience. Mark Jones brings Prince Sebastian/ The Beast to life with a performance that’s rich in character, while Jones is admittedly gorgeous looking as the prince he really sinks his teeth into the role of the Beast giving it just enough edge to be scary but not terrify even the smallest child. Comedy comes by the bucketload thanks to Michael Davies inspired “Hector” and Roman Mitchell’s couthy “Senga” (Mitchell will alternate the role with Iona Irving). It’s a Tweedle dee, Tweedle dumb pairing that brings true joy to the show. Adding magical sparkle is Debbie Spurgeon as the “Enchantress” with a lovely voice and true aptitude to present a fairy godmother with charm and grace. Every panto needs a band and Jessica Russell delivers an evil laugh and enough villainy in the role of the “Baroness” and she is joined by her hench man “Squire Jimmy” played with a deft comedy touch by Malcolm McFadyen.

The principals all get there moment to shine especially in the quadrilogy of panto sketches featured in the show. The Ghost gag is given a “Traitors” make over to great effect and Mackie and Davies go full throttle in pre interval kitchen cooking sketch. Act 2 see a fabulously funny take on the great Dean Park’s “Wee Andy Webbers Scottish Medley” and trust us this panto features one of the very best “12 days of Christmas” routines you will see in panto land this year!

The principals are joined by an excellent 9 strong Ensemble adult cast alongside two alternating sets of panto babes who make the most of there on stage time and shine especially when delivering Sophie Douglas’s inspired and fresh choreography that’s blended well with the abilities of her performers. There are moments were a tad more dance could be used to lift the show yet still further. Musically its everything you want from a panto with musical director James McCutcheon and his excellent four-piece pit band adding that essential panto ingredient wonderfully well.

Production wise MM Sound & Lighting have delivered a flawless sound and light design that makes the most of the Church Hills often limited abilities. Accompanied by a striking video wall design from SLS Productions and scenic artistry of Sophie Dalton its really brings the magical panto world of “Auld Reekie” to life in style.

Baird, Douglas and McCutcheon have got the very best from there committed cast and the company have a passion for delivering the best panto possible it just needs tweaking by removing some of the plot, adding a dash more panto fun with an extra sketch or two whilst bringing down the run time then 4 stars and more are within the companies grasp.

For now, BTC Productions Beauty and the Beast have produce a show packed with heart, fabulous comedy and some impressive wow moments that insures this is more than just a tale as old as time!

BTC Productions present Beauty and the Beast, The Pantomime, Church Hill Theatre, Edinburgh runs until Saturday 6^th December for more information and tickets go to: Balerno Theatre Company

***** (5 stars)

“A Joyous Anniversary Spectacular!”

Twenty years ago, in 2005 now critically acclaimed and award-winning pantomime producer Michael Harrison was handed the reigns of Newcastle’s and the North’s biggest pantomime at the beloved Theatre Royal. Harrison a local lad took a chance on bringing in a then unknown father and son circus comedy duo Clive Webb and Danny Adams and their unique brand of mayhem to join top of the bill star Jill Halfpenny in a production of that years Cinderella. They went to the ball and dreams came true as Newcastle audiences took Danny and Clive to their hearts. They returned the following year for Jack and The Beanstalk. Then in 2007 the duo was so popular they topped the bill themselves and were joined by the modern-day Danny La Rue of Dames, the simply incredible Chis Hayward and the magical trio were complete! Pop sensation Joe McElderry joined them in 2021 to make Newcastle a 4 top of the bill iconic show.

2025 sees Danny and Clive celebrate their 20^th season at the Theatre Royal in a brand-new production of “Aladdin” which proves to be a five-star joyous anniversary spectacular. Aladdin as a title has lost favor amongst panto producers due to the difficulties it faces with racial and cultural misappropriation. Director and co-writer Michael Harrison with co-writer Ed Curtis have done what panto is born to do! They have reinvented the story by moving the show away from peeking to magical land of pantomania and made a gorgeous celebration of both panto and Danny and Clive’s twenty years at the helm and its all the better for it. Spoiler alert! This is Aladdin as you have never seen it and you’re going to love it.!

Danny Adams in the performance of his life, leads the show as “Aladdin” in his quest for true love of Princess Jemima, the gorgeous Billie-Kay. His mum Mother Goose, played to perfection by the glamourous Chris Hayward (yes, no widow Twankey in pantomania!) and her husband Mr Goose, Clive Webb face their own challenges with priscilla the golden goose (acclaimed skin performer Olivier Moriarty) helping them to keep theatre royal in pantomania open and the pennies coming in. They are helped by the spirit of the ring, the wonderfully camp and the silky-smooth vocals of Joe McElderry alongside the Genie of the Lamp, Mick Potts who takes his idiot character to a whole new level. Together the seek to win over Old King Cole, Wayne Smith, to let Aladdin win his heart’s desire and the gang also must banish evil in the form of the Wicked Witch of Wallsend played with joyful villainy by Rachel Stanley.

While the story is unconventional it works beautifully! And there is just enough story to wrap round what is essentially a greatest hits of panto sketches from the last twenty years. Performances are sublime and faultless across the board. Danny Webb works out of his skin, and it shows and he and Joe McElderry have developed a wonderful on stage partnership with Joe giving as good as he gets with some tasty one liners and double entendre’s while Adams brings the comedy McElderry brings the vocals and it’s a match made in heaven. Clive Webb also delivers wonderfully well especially a fantastic “haunted house” sketch, and the team shine in what must be the countries best “If I were not in pantomime” sketch. The finest glamorous dame of them all Chris Hayward shines especially bright this year in a non-ending plethora of stunning frocks, a hilarious strip routine and some wonderful musical numbers that glue the show together. Mick Potts lifts his idiot character to new heights thanks to his mastery of physical comedy and it’s a joy as the Genie of the ring, Wayne Smith, Rachel Stanley and Billie-Kay are slightly underused but do shine during there moments they do get on stage and Smith has an unforgettable tache! That has the audience in hysterics.

The principal cast are joined by a stellar eight strong ensemble cast who shine especially when delivering Ashley Nottingham’s exquisite choreography that adds the cherry to this pure panto perfection of pantomime cake.

Production wise this is simply a west end production with Andrew Exeter delivering a brand-new set design that takes the show over the rainbow thanks to the set’s beauty and the beguiling lighting design from Ben Cracknell. Cracknell’s lighting design also brings out the very best of Teresa Nalton’s costume design! (with additional costume design by James Macier & Chris Hayward and additional specialty design and construction by Mike Coltman) trust us every single panto character features somewhere among the adventures of Aladdin in pantomania. Matt Peploe’s sound designed is flawless and the balance between performers and musical director Andrew Hilton and his six strong stonking pit orchestra is pitch perfect. It well seeing this is an anniversary spectacular with no less that three gigantic effects being used from those clever boys at Twins effects! Mythical creatures a plenty, Firey scares and yes, a carpet that flies! Simply incredible!

Michael Harrison has produced a panto which embraces twenty years of rich history but also retools it for the future ahead! It’s clear how much the Theatre Royal means to both him, Danny and Clive and the most emotionally moving scene in panto “the panto hall of fame” says it all! and must be the jewel in this year’s show. While Harrison also now directs and produces the London Palladium its clear there are many adventures ahead for him, Danny, Clive and the entire team at the Theatre Royal as they prove this brand-new Aladdin really is a Panto that’s is absolutely Genie-us!

Aladdin, Theatre Royal, Newcastle runs until Sunday 18^th January 2026 for more information and tickets go to: Aladdin | Newcastle Theatre Royal

The Theatre Royal Newcastle and Crossroads Pantomimes have confirmed the 2026/27 pantomime will be a spectacular new production of “Jack and The Beanstalk!”.