Panto star Mark is dame for a laugh at Macrobert
The shoes of the Macrobert panto dame are big ones to fill, however Mark McDonnell can’t wait to stroll out onto the stage in Stirling.
The experienced performer is set make his debut in Weans in the Wood, with regular Macrobert favourite Johnny McKnight in Glasgow for this year’s festive season.
“This will be my first time in panto here,” said Mark. “I’ve been here a few times, but the last time I was here was probably in the late nineties.
“I have known Robbie (Jack) and Helen (McAlpine) for a while, and I also know some of the rest of the team like Alan Penman (musical director) and Julie Ellen (director).
“The fact that most of the cast know the place and have done it before is a real help to me.”
Mark has spent around two decades appearing in panto, and has performed at venues across the UK. “I used to pay the comic role, the Buttons type of character. It was sort of a natural progression to playing a dame. I then went onto an ugly sister type role, where I began to channel my inner dame.
“I loved doing it, it’s my favourite and I’ve been doing it for nine years now.”
Panto season is a tough slog for actors, who have to perform day and night, however Mark said that he loves the excitement of performing to different crowds.
“It’s like a tour of duty. It is exciting, but you do need a week off at the end of it. It is one of the adventures of doing this job and it is not like doing any other type of play. It really is one of the highlights of my year.”
Preview performances of Weans in the Wood begin on Wednesday, November 23, with the opening night on Friday, November 25 at 7.30pm running through to Sunday, December 31.
Tickets, priced from £9 to £19.50, are selling fast with a number of performances, including Christmas Eve, already sold out. To book tickets call the box office on 01786 466 666.