Pantomime (2026): A festive tradition
Welcome to George's Theatre Reviews, where we celebrate the magic of pantomime. As a followspot operator at the Ayr Gaiety, I treasure the few opportunities I get to experience the atmosphere and nostalgia of this festive tradition from the audience's perspective. Here, you'll find a personal collection of the pantos I've been lucky enough to see.
From the followspot to the front row
My perspective on theatre is often from behind the scenes, ensuring the magic on stage is perfectly lit. When I do get a chance to sit in the audience for a pantomime, it’s a truly special experience, filled with pure enjoyment and a whole lot of professional admiration for the craft.
Snow White PACE Paisley Arts Centre
What a delightful panto Andy McGregor s Snow White at Paisley Arts Centre is. Chiara Sparkes is a lovely Snow White along with being the fairest in the land can also build a house extention!
Alan Orr is the silly Billy played with a charming glint in his eye.
Chris Alexander has a super time as a Dame as do we laughing along with his wonderfully timed gags.
An Evil Queen and her reluctant son Prince Barry make up the leads of the show.
The real stars though are the young students of PACE drama school, we had team 3 today and many of their performances were stand outs!
This is a rip roaring show and I hope I can make it along again next year. What can go wrong when 2 of the little people are called Snotty and Farty!! 😂
Jock and the Beanstalk Pantomime Review Glasgow Pavilion (2026)
What a hoot Jock and the Beanstalk is, really well told with all the traditional panto sketches and gags, some of them been in use since Jesus was a boy, but that's the point!
As always Liam Doolan's energy blows the roof off the house, the pairing of Grado and Stephen Purdon is always tightly righty!
Craig Glover is a wonderfully traditional dame.
The sausage pie scene is hilarious.
The inovitive use of cloths and screen projection is growing on me, it certainly suited this panto more than it has in the last few years.