top of page
Writer's pictureLisa in the theatre

Scottish Panto Highlights: What's On in Scotland's Theatres this Christmas 2024

Updated: 13 hours ago

Scottish Panto Highlights 2024: What's On Scotland Theatre Christmas 2024

This article contains affiliate links. Learn more about our affiliate policy and partnerships here.



Let's get out of Edinburgh and Glasgow!*


If you're looking for a pantomime or Christmas show in Scotland this year, there's no need to travel to the big cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh for your festive fun. Theatres all over Scotland have top-quality productions to suit all budgets and all ages this Christmas 2024.


*Glasgow Panto Guide and Edinburgh Panto Guides are also available.




What's On in Scotland Christmas 2024: Winter Theatre & Panto Highlights


Ayr Gaiety Theatre panto 2024: Mother Goose

Friday 22 November 2024 to Saturday 4 January 2025

Tickets from £11 - £35

Age guidance: TBC


Following two years of 5-star reviewed productions, writing dream-team Ken Alexander and Fraser Boyle are back at Ayr Gaiety Theatre to put their original spin on a beloved family favourite.


Mother Goose is a good egg, the most giving of souls. Salt of the earth and kind to a fault, she would give you her last ha’penny if you needed it. But when her faultless generosity lands her neck deep in the stinking Ayrshire proverbial, it will take a touch of eggs-ellent panto magic to help save her Ayrshire bacon. In these tough times, who could turn down a goose that lays golden eggs? But will it really help her, or will it set her down a path towards eggs-treme greed and vanity? You can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs after all…


Ayr Gaiety panto 2024 co-writers Ken Alexander and Fraser Boyle. Photo credit: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan
Co-writers Ken Alexander and Fraser Boyle. Photo: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

Who's in Ayr Gaiety Theatre panto 2024? Meet the CAST of Mother Goose


Fraser Boyle stars in the lead role as pantomime’s most famous dame, Mother Goose. He’ll be joined by a stellar cast of Scottish performers including returning favourites Gavin Jon Wright, Chiara Sparkes, Dani Heron, and Rachel Campbell, and newcomers to The Gaiety Jamie McKillop, Gregor John Owen, Ciara Flynn, and Lewis Kerr.


This will also mark The Gaiety’s first in-house production to include actors delivering performances in both BSL and spoken English throughout. Bea Webster and Benedetta Zanetti will be delivering performances featuring a combination of BSL, Sign Supported English, and Visual Vernacular, while other cast members perform in spoken English. Fully BSL-Interpreted performances will also be available again this year, along with captioned, audio-described, and relaxed performances.The production is supported by theatre company Solar Bear. Solar Bear work collaboratively with deaf and hearing actors, theatre makers, artists and young people, promoting inclusion, and reaching out to those often excluded from the arts.



Ayr Gaiety panto 2024 cast - Jamie McKillop, Fraser Boyle, Dani Heron, Rachel Campbell, Lewis Kerr, Ciara Flynn, Gregor John Owen. Photo: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan
Jamie McKillop, Fraser Boyle, Dani Heron, Rachel Campbell, Lewis Kerr, Ciara Flynn, Gregor John Owen. Photo: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan


Kilmarnock panto 2024: Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Friday 22 November to Sunday 29 December 2024

Tickets from £18.50 - £27.50

Age guidance: TBC


The traditional home of the Killie panto, The Palace Theatre & Grand Hall is closed for works, but the show must go on. Roll-up, roll-up to the Big Top at Ayrshire Athletics Arena! The Kilmarnock panto gang are back with a show full of fun, laughter, music and spectacular circus acts in a fully heated big-top. Goldilocks and the Three Bears is a unique pantomime experience not to be missed!


Things are not going well at Dundonald’s Circus! Dame Dolly, the circus owner, needs a spectacular, new act to bring in bigger audiences but Roger Von Riccarton’s circus has the money to attract all the big, breathtaking acts. Goldilocks, the circus acrobat goes for a woodland walk between shows and discovers the cutest cottage in a clearing. Who could live here? Why are there three of everything? Has she discovered the home of the three dancing bears? Bears who are desperate to show their dancing moves to the world?


Who's in the Kilmarnock panto 2024? Meet the CAST of Goldilocks and the Three Bears

The Kilmarnock panto gang is led by Andrew Agnew, Gary Morrison and James McAnerney.



Kilmarnock panto 2024 cast: Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Kilmarnock panto 2024 cast: Goldilocks and the Three Bears


Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling panto 2024: Snow White

Wednesday 27 November to Tuesday 31 December 2024

Tickets from £22 - £29

Age guidance: all ages


Oh dear. Things aren’t going too well down in Stirling Stella. The Baroness Fantasia De’Wharff needs a nanny to control her seven unruly step-children particularly, the rather wild Snow White. Step forward Nanny Maria Shut-Yon-Trapp who wants to fill the pantosphere with her own Sound Of Music.


Once settled in her new home, Nanny Maria discovers that the evil Fantasia is planning on murdering Snow White and running away with the rather dashing Prince Rupert Charming-Darling. Will Nanny Maria save the day and defeat evil? Will Snow White eat her vegetables (and poisoned fruit)? Is there enough curtain fabric to make seven matching outfits for the De’Wharff family? Find out in this year's family panto at Macrobert Arts Centre – Snow White, written by panto legend Johnny McKnight.


Who's in the Macrobert panto 2024? Meet the CAST of Snow White


Scot Squad's Chris Forbes will be making his Macrobert Dame debut as Nanny Maria Shut-Yon-Trapp and is joined by an incredible cast of performers including returning favourites Helen McAlpine, Kara Swinney, Ryan Towart, Olivia Adams and Macrobert newcomers Tinashe Warikandwa, Tiger Mitchell and Giga Gray.



Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling panto 2024: Snow White written by Johnny McKnight


Eden Court Theatre, Inverness panto 2024: Jack and the Beanstalk

Wednesday 4 December 2024 to Sunday 5 January 2025

Tickets from £8.50 - £37

Age guidance: TBC


Join Eden Court in Inverness for a GIANT of a panto with Jack and the Beanstalk. The Trots are so poor they don’t have a bean to their name, and what is more there is a giant terrifying the village. Come and see if Jack can defeat the giant, win the heart of the girl he loves and turn the Trots’ fortunes around.


Once again Eden Court will have all the ingredients for a perfect family panto, with a dastardly villain, a hapless comic and a hilarious panto dame, as well as fabulous musical numbers and bags of slapstick fun!



Inverness panto 2024 cast: Jack and the Beanstalk
Inverness panto 2024 cast: Jack and the Beanstalk

Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy panto 2024: Sleeping Beauty

Wednesday 4 to Monday 30 December 2024

Tickets from £9 - £30

Age guidance: TBC


For a magical experience filled with whimsical characters, dazzling costumes, and toe-tapping music that will transport audiences of all ages to an enchanting fairy-tale realm, head to Adam Smith Theatre in Kirkcaldy for the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty.


Who's in the Kirkcaldy panto 2024? Meet the CAST of Sleeping Beauty

Colin Little, Scott Watson, Kim Shepherd and a fabulous supporting cast bring the captivating story of true love’s awakening to life in this spectacular pantomime extravaganza!



⚠️ TICKET DEAL: SAVE 15% WHEN YOU BOOK 4 OR MORE TICKETS!

Enjoy a 15% discount when you book four or more tickets! Simply select the ‘15% discount off 4 or more’ option at checkout, and the savings will be applied automatically.


Adam Smith Theatre Kirkcaldy panto cast 2024: Sleeping Beauty
Adam Smith Theatre Kirkcaldy panto cast 2024: Sleeping Beauty

Dundee Rep Christmas show 2024: Oor Wullie

Thursday 28 November to Monday 30 December 2024

Tickets from £15 - £30

Age guidance: 5+


This Christmas sees Dundee Rep Theatre, in association with Noisemaker, present a brand-new version of their smash-hit musical Oor Wullie. First staged in 2019, this uproarious musical adaptation of DC Thomson’s iconic character became a sensation in Dundee and across Scotland; now a cast of both new and familiar faces are set to bring some of the country’s most beloved characters back to the Rep stage.

Hot on the heels of last year’s production of A Christmas Carol, the award-winning creative team present a new and expanded version of the show – with even more catchy songs for audiences to leave humming. Join Wullie, Primrose, Boab, Soapy Soutar, Wee Eck, an' the rest o' Wullie’s Sunday Post gang in the musical adventure celebratin' ower 85 years o' Scotland's maist beloved comic strip.


Oor Wullie the musical, Dundee Rep Theatre

Who's in the CAST of Oor Wullie at Dundee Rep 2024?

This new version sees Kyle Gardiner step into the tackety boots of Auchenshoogle’s cheekiest son, Wullie. He will be joined by a cast of leading Scottish stage talent portraying fan-favourite characters, including Bailey Newsome as Soapy Soutar, Beth Robb Adams as Primrose, Grant McIntyre as Wee Eck, Mairi Barclay as Basher, RoMaya Jey as Nilo and Taqi Nazeer as Daniyal. Taking on the role of Boab, recent New College Lanarkshire graduate Elliot McLean will be making his debut. Also joining the cast will be Anthony Strachan as PC Murdoch and Rep favourite Ann Louise Ross as Ms Watkins.


TICKETS: Call 01382 223 530 or book online at www.dundeerep.co.uk



Reconnect Regal Theatre Bathgate panto 2024: Oor Aladdin

Friday 29 November to Sunday 29 December 2024

Tickets from £12 - £21

Age guidance: TBC


West Lothian company Reconnect Theatres present the Scottish adaptation of a classic, Oor Aladdin, at the Reconnect Regal Theatre, Bathgate opening November 2024.


We find Aladdin and the MacTwankey family, living in Bathgate with not a penny to their name. The evil Narcissis and his twisted bird sidekick Iago are looking to find the most powerful magic lamp in all the kingdom but the cave will only allow access to one, “A Diamond in the Rough”. Will Aladdin fulfil his destiny and with the help of an all magical genie take down Narcissis before it’s too late?


Reconnect Regal Theatre Bathgate panto 2024: Oor Aladdin

Who's in the Bathgate panto 2024? Meet the CAST of Oor Aladdin


This production of Oor Aladdin features a cast of the finest talent Scotland has to offer! The cast is led by

Christopher Dodd in the title role, and supported by returning favourites, local Lewis Carlyon as the villainous Narcissis and Daniel Robertson as side-kick Iago. Joining them are Anna-Fay Jackson, Colin McGowan and Catriona Lamb.




Reconnect Howden Park Livingston panto 2024: Peter Pan

Saturday 23 November to Tuesday 31 December 2024

Tickets from £18 - £23

Age guidance: TBC


West Lothian company Reconnect Theatres present Peter Pan this panto season, at the Reconnect Howden Park opening November 2024.


When Wendy and her two brothers are visited one night by a magical being known as ‘Peter Pan’, they’re taken

on a magical trip to Neverland. However, it’s not all adventures and fun, as they’re being hunted down by the

most treacherous pirate in the land Captain Hook and his silly sidekick Smee. Will Wendy, Peter and the lost

boys be able to get the best of Hook and his crew? Will the hungry crocodile be too much to overcome? Will

Tinkerbell ever admit she’s a man in a dress?


Reconnect Howden Park Livingston panto 2024: Peter Pan

Who's in the Reconnect Livingston panto 2024? Meet the CAST of Peter Pan


Leading the cast as Peter Pan himself is Ross Jamieson alongside local favourites Sam Stuart Fraser as Smee and Reece McInroy as Tinkerbell. Joining them are Molly Quinn, Alex Lyne, Jonny Tulloch and Rebecca Wilkie.



 



MORE: Find more Scottish and UK theatre news like this on Lisa in the Theatre here


MORE: Find Lisa in the Theatre on Instagram @lisa_inthetheatre and Twitter / X @Lisa_Theatre


💌 Never miss the latest Scottish Theatre News and reviews. Join the mailing list here.



Coming soon to Glasgow's theatres:



Coming soon to Edinburgh's theatres:



Comments


bottom of page