Scotland’s programming during the holiday season is always a very exciting time and the 2023/24 season is no exception. A variety of pantomimes play across the country both professional and amateur, big touring musicals draw in audiences and other festive-themed shows are there for audiences looking for an alternative. We have picked some productions from across the company for audiences to check out.
‘Aganeza Scrooge’ – The Tron Theatre – Wed 29 Nov 2023 — Sun 7 Jan 2024
Pantomime legend Johnny McKnight brings us a new spin on Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’.
The entire pantosphere is decking the halls and rocking around their Christmas trees. Well, everywhere except one place: Dickensian Street, home of the frightful Aganeza Scrooge, the scariest skinflint in the pantosphere. A woman so tight with money she makes Fifers look generous. And Aganeza HATES Christmas!
She hates those festive jumpers that her employee Bobby Scratchit keeps wearing; that little pest Tiny Tim and their never-ending festive cheer; and don’t even get her started on those ghosts of panto past, present and future who have decided to keep her awake through the night.
Aganeza is on a quest this year to end Christmas, once and for all! It’s sooooo…bah humbug.
‘Sunshine On Leith’ – Pitlochry Festival Theatre – Fri 17th Nov – Sat 23rd Dec 2023
Stephen Greenhorn and The Proclaimer’s hit musical returns to Pitlochry Festival Theatre with a brand new production. ‘Sunshine on Leith’ is both a funny and moving play about Davy and Ally, two Edinburgh natives returning to their hometown after serving in war-torn countries overseas, who are questioning what ‘home’ really means.
‘Treasure Island’ – Pavilion Theatre – Thurs 30th Nov 2023 – Sun 14th Jan 2024
The Pavilion’s legendary pantomime returns this year, newly under the helm of Imagine Theatre, with the classic tale of ‘Treasure Island’. Jim Hawkins has been left a treasure map but will he, his wee brother, Willie and their mammy, Henrietta be able to find the gold before Long John Silver and his pesky pirates, Pucklebum & Pilchard get their greedy hands on it? Squire McClunkey, Sea-Legs Senga and Polly Pollock are sailing as fast as they can to beat the baddies! Their voyage will be jam packed with all the traditional Pavilion Panto fun.
‘Cinderella’ – The Gaiety Theatre – Fri 1st Dec 2023 – Sun 7th Jan 2024
The Gaiety Theatre in Ayr takes on the glistening fairytale about the girl with a heart as pure as gold. Cinderella doesn’t have much time for frivolous things like royalty and designer handbags. She would much rather be trying to make a positive difference in the world, but fears things may never get any better. However, with her best pal Buttons and a magical Fairy Godmother on her side, the story could take an unexpected turn for the girl dressed in rags…
‘Wicked’ – The Edinburgh Playhouse – Thu 7 Dec 2023 – Sun 14 Jan 2024
The international hit musical based on The Witches of OZ returns to Scotland this Christmas, with the brand new UK Tour opening at the Edinburgh Playhouse. Based on the acclaimed novel by Gregory Maguire, ‘Wicked’ imagines a beguiling backstory to the lives of L. Frank Baum’s beloved characters, and reveals the magic that shaped the destinies of two unlikely friends on their remarkable journey to becoming Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
‘Sleeping Beauty’ – His Majesty’s Theatre – Sat 2nd Dec 2023 – Sun 7th Jan 2024
Once upon a time in a land far away, Princess Aurora is given a twenty-first birthday present by her evil aunt Carabosse. By pricking her finger on an enchanted spinning wheel she is placed under a cruel curse and forced to sleep for 100 years.
Starring award-winning comedy actor and writer Gary: Tank Commander who will be joining returning panto favourites Alan McHugh as Nurse Nellie Macduff, Paul J Corrigan as Slimeball, Julie Coombe as Carabosse and Aberdonians Danielle Jam as The Spirit of Pantomime and Michael Karl-Lewis as the Prince.
Can true love survive and Prince Charming break the spell? Who will outwit the evil Enchantress and foil her wicked plans?
‘A Christmas Carol’ – Dundee Rep Theatre – Sat 25th Nov – Sat 30th Dec 2023
Bringing together a cast of 11 actor-musicians, we once again team up with celebrated musical theatre writers Noisemaker in a musical version of the ultimate Christmas story, directed by Dundee Rep’s Artistic Director, Andrew Panton. An original take on the classic with all your favourite characters, from Tiny Tim to the Ghost of Christmas Past, this wonderfully witty and heart-warming re-telling of Dickens’ tale of redemption is the perfect way to celebrate the festive season and immerse yourself in the magic of a Rep Christmas this year!
‘The Snow Queen’ – Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh – Thurs 23rd Nov – Sun 31st Dec 2023
The Lyceum return with their stable Christmas production, with a brand new original take on Hans Christian Anderson’s ‘The Snow Queen’ adapted by Morna Young and directed by Cora Bissett.
When the beautiful and fearsome Snow Queen steals young Kei away to her frozen kingdom, she leaves behind the brave and brilliant Gerda, an Edinburgh lass who will stop at nothing to rescue her best friend.
‘Sleeping Beauty’ – Eden Court Theatre – Wed 6th Dec 2023 – Sun 7th Jan 2024
Eden Court’s panto returns for a new production of ‘Sleeping Beauty’. When the wicked fairy Carabosse’s evil curse causes the princess to prick her finger on a spinning wheel and fall into an enchanted sleep, can anyone rescue her from the magical slumber before it is too late?
‘Cinders!’ – Theatre Royal Glasgow – Sat 9th Dec – Sun 31st Dec 2023
Breaking with tradition in theatre is a tradition in itself, and Scottish Ballet’s playful new production of Cinders will have a surprise in store each night for audiences as the curtain rises: on some nights, Cinders will be a woman, swept off her feet by her Prince, and on others, Cinders will be a man, swept off his feet by his Princess!
‘Cinderella’ – Portobello Town Hall – Fri 8th Dec – Sat 23rd Dec 2023
Stage Door Entertainment launch their first ever pantomime with the fairy godmother of pantos, ‘Cinderella’. Starring a superb local cast, produced by Tommie Travers and Aidan O’Brien, with a new script written and directed by Lewis C. Baird. Cinderella has been stuck with her evil stepmother Baroness Davina Hardup, and her two hideous daughters Wonky and Stonky, but with the help of Fairy Maggie, will she escape her stepmother’s clutches and find the Prince she deserves?
‘The Wizard of OZ’ – Alhambra Theatre – Thurs 7th Dec – Thurs 28th Dec 2023
Dunfermline’s Alhambra Theatre brings a new pantomime production of ‘The Wizard of OZ’ to the stage for 2023. With a great cast of Scottish entertainers, expect dazzling sets, colourful costumes, and fun and laughter for the whole family!
The King’s Panto relocated to the Festival Theatre last year with ‘Snow White’ and now Crossroads Pantomimes present a brand new panto spin on ‘Peter Pan’. Join Peter Pan as he sets sail on a brand-new adventure for Christmas 2023. Returning for another year to the Festival Theatre, are pantomime favourites Allan Stewart, Grant Stott and Jordan Young.
With amazing special effects, stunning sets, beautiful costumes and barrel-loads of laughter, The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan will take your whole family on a swashbuckling trip to Neverland like never before!
‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ – Glasgow King’s Theatre – Sat 2nd Dec 2023 – Sun 7th Jan 2024
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, starring pantomime legends Elaine C Smith and Johnny Mac, will be spectacularly brought to life with an abundance of comedy, sensational song and dance numbers, fabulous costumes and stunning scenery. With Darren Brownlie, Blythe Jandoo and Liz Ewing, the magnificent seven and plenty of audience participation, you have the perfect recipe to outwit the Wicked Queen and let love prevail in this glittering festive treat for all ages.
Scotland really does have some absolutely cracking productions on this festive season! The talent on stage and creatively shows what Scotland is capable of when it comes to theatrical brilliance. So get out there! Enjoy the entertainment that is right on your door step. There are many more productions out there locally, if you want to support local theatre, check what your local theatre is producing over the Christmas season.
Theatre Scotland 