With Herald panto critic Mary Brennan already hotfooting it around the shows of the season, there is alot going on, with a smorgasbord of seasonal fare likely on your doorstep, as outlined below. There is even some non-panto action opening in theatres great and small to see the year out in suitably dramatic fashion.
Baltic
Cumbernauld Theatre until December 24.
With Cumbernauld Theatre under threat of closure after being turned down for funding, now is probably the time to show some support for one of the most vital arts organisations outside the cities. Jerry Taylor’s new pantomime for Ginger and Jester Productions brings home a very snowy show, as young Elsbeth sets out from the land of Glenfrost to rescue her brother from the clutches of the Snow Queen. Cue a quest loaded with a talking snowman called Nolaff, who’s lost his sense of smell, a seven-foot Yeti and a whole load of storms weathered as Elsbeth discovers her magic powers.
A Christmas Carol
Platform, Easterhouse, Glasgow, December 2-24.
The festive season wouldn’t be complete without an appearance from Charles Dickens’ famous miser. Platform’s Christmas show sees writer Lewis Hetherington reimagine Dickens’ creation as Carol Scrooge, a ruthless business woman for whom only money, money, money makes her world go round. Her worst nightmare turns up in Rosalind Sydney’s production in the form of three ghosts who show her the error of her ways. Sarah McCardie leads a professional cast as Carol in a show presented by Platform in association with Glasgow Kelvin College.
Beauty and the Beast
Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, December 2-31.
The reopening of the Citizens Theatre has already unlocked the door on a wonderland of work. The return of the Gorbals theatre’s Christmas show looks set to be even more of a treat. Along with his version of A Christmas Carol for Platform, Lewis Hetherington also takes on a story more used to being seen in Disney’s blockbuster take on things these days. With Hetherington and directors Dominic Hill and Joanna Bowman on board here, however, imagination looks set to be at the heart of this new take on things.
Dancing Shoes
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, December 4-20.
Already a hit at Oran Mor’s A Play, a Pie and a Pint lunchtime theatre institution in Glasgow, this revival of Stephen Christopher and Graeme Smith’s short play looks at what happens to a man whose lifelong passion of dancing alone in his bedroom inadvertently makes him famous after a video of his routine goes viral online. This comes following his hook up with new friends in a local support group in a warm-hearted comedy drama about friendship, fame and walking to the tap of your own shoes.
Oor Wee Mammy McGoose
The King’s Kirkcaldy, December 4-January 3.
Small is beautiful in the King’s Kirkcaldy’s annual panto, which for the last few years has proved to be an annual smash hit. Mark McDonnell’s reimagining of this familiar seasonal yarn sees grand dame Billy Mack return to the King’s in the title role. Priding itself on every single element of the show being ‘Made in Kirkcaldy, for Kirkcaldy’, this year, the show is not only set in the Lang Toun. Suzi Budd’s production also sees Fife’s own West End star Shona White make a prodigal’s return.
The Wizard of Oz
Corn Exchange, Haddington, December 5-27.
The closure of Musselburgh’s Brunton Theatre may have left a large hole in East Lothian’s cultural life, but the Brunton Theatre Trust has risen to the challenge by moving their programme into venues around the area. Christmas shows at the Brunton were always a big draw, and this year audiences are invited to follow the yellow brick road to Haddington. Once there, Robbie Gordon and Jack Nurse’s pantomime version of the Christmas favourite sees young Dorothy and her assorted friends take on the Wicked Witch of the West in suitably magic fashion.
Untethered – A Rehearsed Reading
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, December 6.
4Play: 4 New Plays by 4 Scottish Playwrights
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, December 11-13.
Finding Balance – Winter
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, December 16.
Works in progress are very much on the agenda for the end of the year at the Traverse, with three different new writing programmes on the go. Untethered is a rehearsed reading of a new play by Sally Hobson about a woman who dies, but remains unaware of her demise as the play explores the journey her consciousness might take. 4Play showcase four new works; Chips by Ruaridh Murray; Hunt, by Andrea McKenzie; Sunday Palms, by Sean Langtree; and Brace, by Geraldine Lang. Finding Balance – Winter, meanwhile, sees David Gardner and Benedict Hoesl of Balancing Act Theatre host a scratch evening of new plays in progress. The future starts here.
Mamma Mia!
Edinburgh Playhouse, December 9-January 4.
Catherine Johnson was already a successful stage writer with shows such as Shang a Lang – about a group of Bay City Rollers fans - when she was approached to pen the book for a new project for producer Judy Craymer. Since opening in 1999, Mamma Mia! has gone on to become a universal theatrical phenomenon. While much of this is down to ABBA’s evergreen songbook from which the show takes its title, it is Johnson’s common touch that brought her story of twenty-year-old Sophie trying to find out who her dad is before getting married in Greece that continues to give the show its feelgood dramatic charm.
Jack and the Privately Owned Beanstalk
Theatre 118, Osborne Street, Glasgow, December 11-13.
Glasgow’s liveliest DIY theatre company close their first year of operations in the former office block transformed into a studio space with a cheekily irreverent take on panto. Callum Latham and David Hewitson’s script becomes a love letter to the festive theatrical form that also manages to make some pithy comments on big city gentrification, dodgy landlords and even dodgier investments in order to make the rent in a show the company describe as ‘a pantomime for the rest of us’.
It’s a Wonderful Life….Mostly
Oran Mor, Glasgow, December 15-28.
Everybody who loves Christmas loves It’s a Wonderful Life, Frank Capra’s ultimate feelgood film starring James Stewart as George Bailey, a man on the verge of suicide on Christmas Eve before his guardian angel whisks him off to show him life’s rich pageant. Morag Fullerton takes a look at the story in this brand new Christmas show featuring four actors. Given Fullarton’s recent back catalogue that includes Casablanca: The Gin Joint Cut, Doris, Dolly & The Dressing Room Divas and A Bottle of Wine & Patsy Cline, old time Hollywood looks set to be moving into Oran Mor once again.
The Herald, November 29th 2025
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