Perth Panto's Homecoming

It’s one thing from my childhood that I’ll never forget. A Friday afternoon around Christmas time, an entire primary school walking from the Dunkeld Road down to Perth Theatre, filled with excitement for a couple of hours away from the classroom at the panto.

For a number of years now, the panto’s home in Perth has been Perth Concert Hall and while it has been a good host, there’s just nothing quite like the theatre. So for those already eagerly anticipating this year’s show, you will be delighted to know that it’s returning to where it belongs.

The first home-produced show in the restored and redeveloped Perth Theatre will be the 2017 panto and I don’t think they could’ve picked a better one. A magic carpet, a lamp and a genie – not to mention old favourites Widow Twankey and Wishee Washee – it’s Aladdin!

Be ready for a production full of hilarity, fun and great music as Perth Theatre throws up a show guaranteed to entertain kids and adults alike. The evil villain Abanazer has his heart set on ruining the day on the fantastically restored main stage and Aladdin and Jasmine will need all the help they can get from the audience to stop him!

Perth’s artistic director, Lu Kemp, will put together a show which will include a whole host of new and familiar faces, including everyone’s favourite panto dame – Barrie Hunter. Lu is over the moon to be returning to Perth Theatre for what will be an unforgettable experience for all.

“It feels absolutely right that our first home-produced show in the newly restored Perth Theatre should be panto, an event beloved by Perth audiences.

“We hope this year to outdo ourselves and exceed the audiences’ expectations – with everything people hope for from a panto and more! It will be a silly, splendid, rollercoaster of a Christmas treat.”

Aladdin has been a favourite for all ages ever since the 1992 Disney film, when Robin Williams played a hilarious genie who granted wishes to his master. It feels absolutely right that our first home-produced show in the newly restored Perth Theatre should be panto. The panto recreation is always popular, and it takes me back to my childhood and my primary school days just thinking about what Lu and his cast have in store this year.

The show will run at Perth Theatre from Saturday 9^th December until Saturday 6^th January 2018, and the production is sponsored by local car company Struans.

Make sure you get your tickets booked early so you can enjoy the first home-produced show in the fantastic Perth Theatre which is sure to bring back some fond memories of your own and create new ones too!

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More details about Perth Theatre’s reopening season will be unveiled shortly, so keep your eyes peeled for more exciting announcements.

For tickets and info, contact Horsecross Arts Box Office on 01738 621031 or visit the website.

Aladdin is sponsored by Struans, a local family business in Perth and Dundee.