Panto time spells fun for all the family

Outrageous costumes, witty one-liners and laughter await as Courier Country offers the best of festive entertainment

Panto time will soon be upon us and all over Courier Country dames, princesses and handsome princes are learning their lines and perfecting their topical one-liners.

For many families, a trip to the pantomime is one of the highlights of the festive season and, as usual, audiences in Fife, Angus, Dundee and Perthshire will be spoilt for choice with the quality and array of shows on offer... oh yes they will!

In Fife, the Byre Theatre has plumped for a production of Christmas classic Mother Goose.

All is not well in the pantosphere as evil forces try to destroy those allimportant happy-ever-afters. Only one woman can put a stop to it and that is Mother Goose.

A cast of fairytale favourites comes together for a Christmas adventure full of fun and laughter. Mother Goose, Byre Theatre, St Andrews, November 28 until January 4.

Dunfermline’s Alhambra Theatre will bring the magical story of Aladdin to life for 2019. With Joshua Hayes of CBeebies’ Molly and Mack in the role of Aladdin and Danielle Jam (his on-screen partner) playing Princess Jasmine and Billy Mack returning as the Dame, the show promises fun and surprises for all the family. Aladdin, Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline, December 10-28.

Over in Kirkcaldy, Jack and the Beanstalk will hit the Adam Smith Theatre stage for a dose of slapstick, song and dance and moo-vellous puns. Throw in some magic beans and a giant cow and you’re all set for a family adventure!

Jack and the Beanstalk, Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy, December 7 to January 4.

Meanwhile, Perth Theatre’s 2019 panto will showcase the talents of the amazing Barrie Hunter who is not only directing and starring in Horsecross Arts’ production of Sinbad, but he has written the show to boot! The fittingly-named Dame Jackie Alltrades is mum to Sinbad and her bookish brother Finn Lad. Join the fun as the family search for a peaceful Christmas party in Perthepolis – nothing could possibly go wrong! Sinbad, Perth Theatre, November 30 to January 4.

Angus Webster Memorial Theatre’s show for 2019 is the enduring tale of Snow White, with all the added panto magic of song, dance and terrible jokes. Charming leads and scurrilous villains combine to bring plot twists and lots of laughs along the way. Snow White, Webster Theatre, Arbroath, December 6-24.

Join the cast at Dundee’s Gardyne as they too explore the tale of Snow White and her wicked stepmother. Look out for some well-kent faces in the cast, along with magnificent costumes, sumptuous sets, toe-tapping hits and jokes aplenty. Snow White, Gardyne Theatre, Dundee, December 7-30.

Not strictly pantos, but Dundee Rep and Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Christmas offerings are always a popular draw for families.

This year’s Rep offering looks set to be a treat for fans of a certain cheeky, spikey-haired scamp – Oor Wullie The Musical brings the icon and the rest of the Sunday Post gang to the stage.

Pitlochry’s ensemble will be taking on a bright, bold new adaptation of Dickens’ much-loved festive tale, A Christmas Carol. This new version, written by Isobel McArthur, promises to be a story of redemption and compassion full of feelgood music, dancing and joy.

Oor Wullie The Musical, Dundee Rep, November 23 to January 5.

A Christmas Carol, Pitlochry Festival Theatre, November 21 to December 23.

Perthepolis will be full of colour and laughter this Christmas with Barrie Hunter, left, and Ewan Somers around.