by Francesca Street
1) Scottish Ballet’s Cinderella
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, December 5-31
Following a striking adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire earlier in the year, the Scottish Ballet returns with its production of Christopher Hampson’s Cinderella, originally created for the Royal New Zealand Ballet in 2007. Featuring show-stopping dance, lavish costumes, stunning sets and Prokofiev’s iconic score, Cinderella is a Christmas show sure to enchant and delight all. The production also moves on to Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Inverness in the New Year. www.scottishballet.co.uk/cinderella/cinderella.html
2) Peter Pan
Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow, 12 December - 3 January
The SECC Clyde Auditorium presents Scotland’s biggest Christmas pantomime, Peter Pan, starring David Hasselhoff in the role of the villainous Captain Hook, alongside pantomime legends The Krankies and Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus. The show promises swashbuckling adventure, fabulous music and plenty of comedy. Hasselhoff is a panto veteran, but this is the first time he has acted on Scottish soil. The star affectionately known as The Hoff told The Herald he is delighted to be playing the dastardly Hook: “It is a great part to play because I'm so full of myself," he joked, "The whole show I'm looking in the mirror saying: 'To Hoff or not to Hoff, that is the question.' I'm going to make it fun." www.secc.co.uk/peterpan
3) Jersey Boys
December 8 - January 3, Theatre Royal, Glasgow
Direct from London's West End comes the UK tour of mega hit Jersey Boys, the celebrated musical which tells the story of four New Jersey boys who reversed their fortunes and became Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, one of the most successful pop bands in music history. Featuring hits such as Big Girls Don't Cry, Can't Take My Eyes Off You and Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye) Jersey Boys is an electrifying musical which promises to take Glasgow by storm. www.atgtickets.com/shows/jersey-boys/theatre-royal-glasgow
Jersey Boys give Glasgow audiences a glimpse of the West End phenomenon at the Theatre Royal. Photograph by Martin Shields.
4) The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh, November 28 - January 2
Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum brings C.S. Lewis’ beloved book to life in this truly magical production, which follows young wartime evacuee Lucy and her three siblings as they travel through a mysterious wardrobe into the snowy land of Narnia. The Herald's four-star review praised Theresa Heskin's enchanting adaptation for being a "very special show [that] bridges the gulf between innocence and experience." lyceum.org.uk/whats-on/production/the-lion-the-witch-and-the-wardrobe1
5) Jack and the Beanstalk
Gaiety Theatre, Ayr, December 1 - January 4
When young Jack sells the family cow in exchange for a bag of beans, his mum, Dame Trott, is not best pleased. But little do Jack and Dame Trott know that these are magic beans, which before long have grown into an enormous beanstalk, reaching up into the clouds. The Gaiety Theatre's panto take on this classic fairytale features magic, mayhem and laughs. Still Game's Jane McCarry headlines as Fairy Beansprout. http://ayrgaiety.co.uk/jack-and-the-beanstalk/
6) Citizens Theatre, Glasgow
Rapunzel; 28 November - 3 January
Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre bill their Christmas production of Rapunzel as a “funny, foolish, madcap festive show with a darkly mischievous side.” Another alternative to traditional panto, this is a colourful, exciting edition of Rapunzel, based on the original Brothers Grimm Tale. Director Lu Kemp’s production has been brought to life by the design team behind last years’ five-star A Christmas Carol and promises to be a stunningly visual affair, buoyed by the central performance of rising star Jessica Hardwick. http://citz.co.uk/whatson/info/rapunzel/
7) Beauty and the Beast
Perth Theatre, December 12-26
Perth's 2015 panto offering is Beauty and the Beast, starring local favourite Barrie Hunter as the panto dame. This entertaining show is about an arrogant Prince who is cursed to live as a hideous beast after refusing to marry the evil Witch Queen. The spell can only be broken if someone falls in love with the Beast, warts and all. When the beautiful young Belle arrives in the village, along with the panto dame and her hapless son, it seems that there may be a way to break the spell after all. Featuring panto regulars, talented local kids and plenty of jokes and fun, Beauty and the Beast looks set to be a great festive night out. Click here to read our review. www.horsecross.co.uk/whats-on/beauty-and-beast
AmyBeth Littlejohn and local favourite Barrie Hunter in Perth Theatre’s Beauty and the Beast.
8) Irving Berlin’s White Christmas
Pitlochry Festival Theatre, November 27 - December 27
Back in 2012, Pitlochry Festival Theatre received universal acclaim for its production of Irving Berlin's classic musical White Christmas, with The Herald calling it "a gift to see". This year, White Christmas returns to Pitlochry by popular demand, featuring an ensemble of 20 talented performers and a dynamic 10 piece orchestra. Martine McMenemy and Eleanor Brown reprise their roles as the Haynes sisters, who join up with Second World War veterans Bob and Phil to stage a Christmas extravaganza in rural Vermont. Packed with iconic Irving Berlin hits like Snow, Sisters and, of course, the unforgettable titular hit, this a festive must-see. www.pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com
9) Peter Pan
His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, November 28 - January 3
Celebrated comedian Elaine C Smith plays the magical mermaid in His Majesty's Theatre Aberdeen's version of Peter Pan. This pantomime hit features dazzling flying sequences and incredible 3D special effects. Smith is well supported by Allan McHugh as Mrs Smee and River City star Jordan Young as Smee. www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/events/peter-pan-panto
10) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, 4 December - 10 January
Edinburgh's King's Theatre delivers the city's biggest family show, seen by over 80,000 people each year. This year, Edinburgh's favourite panto trio Andy Gray, Allan Stewart and Grant Stott tread the boards together once again, this time in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Called "spectacular" in The Herald's four-star review, this pantomime remains a favourite for a reason and features plenty of comedy and spectacular special effects. www.edtheatres.com/snowwhite
Edinburgh panto stalwarts Allan Stewart, Grant Stott and Andy Gray line up for another year at the King’s. Gordon Terris/The Herald.
11) The Witches by Roald Dahl
Dundee Rep, Dundee, November 26 - December 31
Award-winning Dundee Rep Theatre continues its tradition of producing Roald Dahl Christmas shows': this time it is Dahl's fantasy The Witches which get the theatrical treatment. Despite being a darkly comic and sinister story (it is about witches hunting children after all!) The Witches remains a favourite with youngsters and the Dundee Rep promise to inject plenty of Dahl's signature humour and heart amongst the wickedness. Read our review here. Tickets from www.dundeerep.co.uk/event/witches
12) Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Edinburgh Playhouse, December 15 - January 2
Direct from the West End and headlined by Jason Donovan, Priscilla Queen of the Desert is a feel-good hit which will lift your spirits this Christmas. Chronicling the journey of three friends on their way to perform at a drag show in the remote Alice Springs this is a dazzling, uplifting musical sensation featuring dancefloor hits such as Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and I Will Survive. A perfect festive night out in the capital. www.atgtickets.com/shows/priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-tour-2
Feel-good musical hit Priscilla Queen of the Desert features a cast led by Aussie star Jason Donovan.
13) The Little Mermaid
Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling, November 25 - January 3
The Little Mermaid may not the most traditional panto tale, but Stirling's Macrobert Arts Centre is not known for conventional pantomimes. Multi-talented Johnny McKnight writes, directs and stars in this fun and creative reimagining of Hans Christian Anderson's tale, which borrows more from 1980s' mermaid movie Splash than the Disney cartoon. The Herald's four-star review describes the production as "a froth of fishy puns, skittishly saucy comedy and a tremendous flow of song’n’dance numbers all wrapped up in neon-bright costumes and sea-miles of sparkly lurex." What more could you want? macrobertartscentre.org/event/the-little-mermaid
14) Peter Pan
Eden Court, Inverness, December 8 - January 10
Inverness' Eden Court Theatre take on Scottish author JM Barrie's iconic Peter Pan in its Christmas pantomime which features swashbuckling adventure, slapstick, song and an ever-present ticking crocodile. Iain Wotherspoon plays Nanny McSmee, alongside Ross Allan as her unfortunate son Smee, whilst thirty lucky local children will join the cast over the run, alternating roles as John and Michael Darling, the lost boys and in the chorus. www.eden-court.co.uk/whats-on/shows/peter-pan
15) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
King’s Theatre, Glasgow, December 4 - January 10
Following his successful run at the National Theatre of Scotland in Yer Granny, Scottish comedy legend Gregor Fisher returns to panto as Hector the Henchman in the the King's Theatre Glasgow's Christmas extravaganza. Fisher will perform alongside local favourite Des Clarke (Capital FM) and Juliet Cadzow (Balamory), who takes on the role of the wicked queen. The trio promise to deliver laughs aplenty, with plenty of entertainment and magic. Click here for our review. Tickets from www.atgtickets.com/shows/snow-white/kings-theatre
16) Tracks of the Winter Bear
Traverse Theatre Glasgow, December 9 - 24
Tracks of the Winter Bear is an arresting elegy to love and loss, comprised of two short plays by major Scottish playwrights Rona Munro (The James Plays) and Stephen Greenhorn (Sunshine on Leith). Described in The Herald's four star review as "seasonal but utterly grown up", the first half chronicles an Edinburgh-based love affair between two women, and the second portrays a woman's relationship with a polar bear in a mysterious winter wonderland. Greenhorn says the mood of the pieces is comparable to A Christmas Carol and It's A Wonderful Life: "there are elements that are quite dark, but they end up becoming quite redemptive." A beautiful production by two of the nation's brightest talents, Tracks of the Winter Bear is an adult alternative to festive theatre and not to be missed.
17) Little Red
Tramway, Glasgow, December 11 - 23
Glasgow-based Barrowland Ballet re-imagines the Brothers Grimm's Little Red Riding Hood in a new family ballet show described in Herald critic Mary Brennan's four star review as "bold and brilliant". Aiming to captivate all, this is a funny, exciting retelling, featuring striking staging and thrilling choreography by Natasha Gilmore.
18) Sleeping Beauty
Cumbernauld Theatre, November 27 - December 23
A tongue-in-cheek panto edition of the traditional fairy tale, Cumbernauld Theatre's Sleeping Beauty is set in 'Slumbernauld', the supposed happiest place on earth. It is here that Rose (Sara Clark Downie), the titular sleeping beauty, grows up, cursed to one day prick her finger on a spinning wheel and sleep for 100 years. Balancing humour and darkness and featuring an innovative use of puppets, this is a fun show with plenty of audience interaction for children to enjoy.
Full details of all our panto reviews can also be found here.
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