The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Take your pick for this year’s panto season
The sun may be shining and the days still long but as autumn approaches our attentions turn to get getting ourselves ready for Christmas.
While it’s important to start looking at gifts and food, it’s equally key to plan some fun outings for family and friends over the festive period.
With all the major Courier Country pantomimes and children’s shows announced – and tickets already on sale – take your pick from the range on offer this winter.
In Perth, the show is set to star not one, not two but seven dames this year.
Fair City favourite Barrie Hunter will take on multiple roles in a quick-change frenzy when Snow White and the Seven Dames takes to the stage from December 1 to January 5.
Directed by the theatre’s artistic director Lu Kemp – as well as Barrie himself – families can expect the usual fun, laughter, songs and silliness that makes the Perth panto popular.
Lu says: “Perth’s family panto is the highlight of the year at Perth Theatre – one the whole company loves bringing to the stage and to our audience.”
When Snow White’s evil stepmother starts to become nasty, Snow White decides it’s time for a change.
She’s going undercover and in disguise: Snow White, no more. But she still must save her father and regain her kingdom. And all this while aided and abetted by not one but seven dames who have decided they are taking young Snow White under their bat-wings.
Barrie adds: “I’m very excited to be back in Perth again for panto this year.
“There’s going to be loads of fun and frolics, plenty of madness and mayhem – not to mention the sweeties and slapstick.”
Angusalive is dusting off its magic carpet to bring Aladdin to the Webster Theatre in Arbroath between December 7 and 24.
Welcoming back writer and director JJ Christine for this year’s show, the production will be packed full of the spectacular mix of silliness, song and dance, goodies, baddies and colourful costumes that our fans have come to expect.
In Dundee, the Rep Ensemble will present The Snow Queen in a cocommission between the Rep Theatre and the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow.
Winter is magical and mysterious. There are secrets in the snow. But when Gerda’s best friend Kai goes missing, she must face her fears and embark on an epic quest to find him.
With the help of an unlikely band of companions, Gerda travels to the Kingdom of Ice to confront the Snow Queen and rescue her friend. But things aren’t always what they seem. The age recommendation is 5+.
Written by Scott Gilmour and Claire Mckenzie from the original Hans Christian Andersen story and directed by
Andrew Panton, the production runs from November 29 to December 31.
Also in Dundee, the Gardyne Theatre will follow on from the success of last year’s Sleeping Beauty – which had its run extended due to demand – with Cinderella from December 8 to 31.
In Dunfermline, the Alhambra Theatre is presenting all-time classic Sleeping Beauty.
The specially commissioned version of the traditional tale will feature all the beautiful costumes, lavish set designs, fantastic choreography and live orchestra that people have come to expect of the theatre’s pantomime.
Starring popular dame Billy Mack as well as many other familiar faces, this year’s performance will run from December 7 to 29.
In St Andrews, the team responsible for bringing festive treats such as Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and Cinderella will be returning to The Byre with Sleeping Beauty.
The family show runs from November 29 to January 5 and will be written and directed by Gordon Barr.
Meanwhile, Adam Smith Theatre in Kirkcaldy will present Beauty and The Beast from December 8 to January 5.
Featuring spectacular scenery, breathtaking costumes, fabulous songs and hilarious knock-about, the show will be sure to make audiences laugh, cry and fall in love with a host of hilarious and hairy characters.
Who – or what – is the creature that walks the long corridors of the enchanted home? And will he ever find love?
Join in for a magical journey this festive period featuring all the traditional pantomime ingredients this festive period.