Gaiety theatre bids to save Christmas
Panto bosses have pledged to ‘ Save Christmas’ by going ahead with a version of their festive show.
‘ The Scunner That Stole Christmas’ will feature five standalone episodes broadcast online.
Ken Alexander and Fraser Boyle, who had been due to pen this year’s show Sleeping Beauty, have been drafted in for the project.
Gaiety boss, Jeremy Wyatt, said: “Coronavirus has presented us with many challenges but the panto was always the biggest on that list.
“It accounts for almost 40 per cent of our annual turnover with 25,000 seats sold each year.
“So to go without that this year is a devastating blow.
“But we were determined not to stand still and this was the result.
“It’s a fresh concept and one we can’t wait to bring to audiences, albeit in a different format.”
Socially distanced filming will take place at a range of locations around Ayrshire. River City star Gavin Jon Wright heads up the cast.
He said: “Christmas can be rescued, but we need your help to do it. We want the whole of Ayrshire to get involved, celebrate and help The Gaiety save Christmas.”
In the online panto, the ‘ Kingdom of Ayrshire and Arran’ has been cursed by Dourina the Soorfaced Sorceress ( Ali Cleland). She has stolen the Pantomime recipe book and cancelled Christmas.
Only joy, togetherness and adventure can conquer Dourina’s evil plan and save the day.
But with Princess Neat ( Bethany Tennick) and Prince Tidy ( Matthew Tomlinson) keeping their distance; how can Christmas ever be saved?
Can Fairy Handwash ( Kirsty Malone) remember the magic recipe and find the ingredients she needs to save the Kingdom? Can Dame Hylda Rerrterr, ( Chris Forbes) behave on Tour? Will Jock the Joker ( Gavin Jon Wright) ever crack a one- liner we approve of?
All episodes will be available to watch for free, on demand, on The Gaiety website once they have been released. There won’t be tickets for this year’s event, but viewers will be able to make a donation online.
• Keep an eye on the Post in the upcoming weeks for information on how to get involved in the episodes.