Ayr Gaiety Theatre’s 2025 pantomime, Aladdie - a Scottish spin on the traditional Aladdin story, rooted very much in Ayrshire - will feature a host of both new talent and returning favourites.
Following three years of 5-star reviewed productions and winning the inaugural CATS award for Outstanding Pantomime for 2024’s Mother Goose, The Gaiety is delighted to welcome back writer Fraser Boyle for the sixth year in a row. He is joined by director Tom Cooper (The Glasgow Poisoner - A Play, a Pie and a Pint; Armour: A Herstory of the Scottish Bard - A Play, a Pie and a Pint and tour), for his first Gaiety panto, to put their original spin on a beloved family favourite.
A former UK Pantomime Association ‘Best Dame’ nominee, Fraser Boyle will also be reprising his role as Gaiety panto dame for the fourth year in a row as Widow Twankey in Aladdie, following star turns in Mother Goose, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella.
Joining Fraser on stage, are a stellar cast of Scottish performers with a diverse range of acting credits, including returning favourites Gavin Jon Wright as Abanazar (Make it Happen - NTS; Death of a Salesman - Raw Material/Trafalgar), Hannah Howie as Empress Oonagh (The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart - Royal Lyceum Theatre and US tour; Funeral for my Boobs - DRIVE (in development)), Lewis Kerr as Aladdie (Encore! - Cumbernauld Theatre; A Midsummer Night’s Dream - Scottish Opera), and Ciara Flynn as Alassie (Maw Goose - Macrobert Arts Centre; Cinderella - Eastwood Park Theatre).
Gracing the Gaiety’s stage for the first time are newcomers Mia Musakambeva as Princess Destiny (Wild Rose - Royal Lyceum Theatre; The Red Shoes - Royal Shakespeare Company), Ava Anderson as Vicky-Victoria (Cinderella - Eastwood Park Theatre), Christopher McFadden as Jimmy-James, and Carley Duncan as Betty-Liz - and Martin Murphy as Danny-Daniel (The BFG - Royal Lyceum Theatre; Snow White - King’s Theatre Edinburgh & His Majesty’s Theatre Aberdeen) who last graced the Gaiety stage in 2013 in the titular role of Aladdin.
Ahead of the festive production, we caught up with cast members Fraser Boyle (aka Widow Twankey), Hannah Howie (Empress Oonagh), Carley Duncan (Betty-Liz), and Christopher McFadden (Jimmy-James) to learn more.
Ahead of the festive production, we caught up with cast members Fraser Boyle (aka Widow Twankey), Hannah Howie (Empress Oonagh), Carley Duncan (Betty-Liz), and Christopher McFadden (Jimmy-James) to learn more.
What can you tell me about your role within this year's panto?
Fraser Boyle (Widow Twankey): I’m playing Widow Twankey this year - she’s a fierce business woman but her children have her up to high doh! She loves her kids really though!
Hannah Howie (Empress Oonagh): Empress Oonagh - Ms Jean Brodie meets Ru Paul.
Carley Duncan (Betty-Liz): This year I’m playing Betty–Liz at The Gaiety for the first time! Betty-Liz loves animals (although she has a difficult relationship with her goldfish…). She is a very happy soul, who gets a bit confused sometimes - but she has a heart of gold that she wears on her sleeve.
Christopher McFadden (Jimmy-James): I’ll be playing Jimmy James this year, he’s part of the Twankey Company, and he’s full of camp, fab energy.
What are your first memories of doing panto?
FB: I was in an amateur production of Treasure Island (a panto) when I was 5 years old. My only line was in response to the question “Where’s my treasure map?” - which was “Arr - it be under your hat Jim lad!”
HH: Dorothy Paul at The King’s Edinburgh - she picked on my Dad!
CD: My first panto was Sleeping Beauty, and I just remember absolutely loving the audience interaction. The audience makes the whole show, and I love that.
CMcF: My first ever panto was in 2015 when I was just 9 years old - I was Buttons and it was my first big role! It was a magical experience like no other.
FB: I was in an amateur production of Treasure Island (a panto) when I was 5 years old. My only line was in response to the question “Where’s my treasure map?” - which was “Arr - it be under your hat Jim lad!”
HH: Dorothy Paul at The King’s Edinburgh - she picked on my Dad!
CD: My first panto was Sleeping Beauty, and I just remember absolutely loving the audience interaction. The audience makes the whole show, and I love that.
CMcF: My first ever panto was in 2015 when I was just 9 years old - I was Buttons and it was my first big role! It was a magical experience like no other.
What can audiences expect from this year's show?
FB: They can expect the story of Aladdin, but not as they know it - familiar but different. And of course laughs, chaos - and some excellent singing from a cast who have blown my socks off with their talent!
HH: Pigeons. Nuns. Underwear.
How does putting a Scottish spin on this tale add a fun dynamic?
FB: It’s tailored to the Gaiety audiences - I always write the panto with the audience in mind. This is not a panto that could be on in Cardiff, Sheffield and Falkirk at the same time. It’s made specifically for a Scottish audience, and I think that makes people feel it’s more special and fun!
HH: Lord, it’s not just a spin - it’s a full launderette experience!!
CMcF: I think giving anything (within reason) a Scottish twist makes it fun AND dynamic!
FB: They can expect the story of Aladdin, but not as they know it - familiar but different. And of course laughs, chaos - and some excellent singing from a cast who have blown my socks off with their talent!
HH: Pigeons. Nuns. Underwear.
CD: Jokes, laughs, good banter, pigeons, and maybe a few tears.
CMcF: You can expect a truly outstanding show with an incredible cast AND an incredibly hilarious script. There’s magic, jokes, and music that will knock your knickers off!
CMcF: You can expect a truly outstanding show with an incredible cast AND an incredibly hilarious script. There’s magic, jokes, and music that will knock your knickers off!
How does putting a Scottish spin on this tale add a fun dynamic?
FB: It’s tailored to the Gaiety audiences - I always write the panto with the audience in mind. This is not a panto that could be on in Cardiff, Sheffield and Falkirk at the same time. It’s made specifically for a Scottish audience, and I think that makes people feel it’s more special and fun!
HH: Lord, it’s not just a spin - it’s a full launderette experience!!
CMcF: I think giving anything (within reason) a Scottish twist makes it fun AND dynamic!
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a pantomime run?
FB: I just wing it - and that’s the truth! I really don’t need to prepare - I love it. It’s my joy and my pleasure, but by January 4th, I’ll be fit for the bin!
HH: Coffee. A strong dressing room aesthetic. A pinch of salt.
CD: Panto runs can take a toll. Leading up to rehearsals/run, I make sure to keep stretching and go to the gym to help keep my stamina up.
CMcF: A litre of water, plenty of sleep, and pray.
FB: I just wing it - and that’s the truth! I really don’t need to prepare - I love it. It’s my joy and my pleasure, but by January 4th, I’ll be fit for the bin!
HH: Coffee. A strong dressing room aesthetic. A pinch of salt.
CD: Panto runs can take a toll. Leading up to rehearsals/run, I make sure to keep stretching and go to the gym to help keep my stamina up.
CMcF: A litre of water, plenty of sleep, and pray.
How do you approach bringing some new and fresh to the role and story?
FB: I love story - and story structure. I’m a bit of a geek when it comes to the mechanics and science of storytelling. I love playing with structure and retelling a well-known story - I think it makes the audience sit up and pay attention more - ‘I’ve seen this before - but not this version!’
HH: I always remind myself, it’s that audience’s FIRST time seeing the show & meeting the characters - keeps it fresh.
CD: I go into rehearsals with a very open mind. Scripts and lines can change in a second - you have to bring some of yourself to the role, and not be scared to be silly!
FB: I love story - and story structure. I’m a bit of a geek when it comes to the mechanics and science of storytelling. I love playing with structure and retelling a well-known story - I think it makes the audience sit up and pay attention more - ‘I’ve seen this before - but not this version!’
HH: I always remind myself, it’s that audience’s FIRST time seeing the show & meeting the characters - keeps it fresh.
CD: I go into rehearsals with a very open mind. Scripts and lines can change in a second - you have to bring some of yourself to the role, and not be scared to be silly!
There's a real magic to panto, how much does that connection and instant reaction from an audience help drive a performance?
FB: The audience are EVERYTHING in a panto - every line, magic spell, romantic storyline - it’s for them. They drive the entire performance. Their reaction is everything.
HH: It’s 100% the backbone of panto - it’s what brings the thing alive.
CD: A lively audience can really help bring the energy. We will always give 100% to make every show special, and audience participation is half of that! We do all of this for the audience, so I really hope you enjoy it!
FB: The audience are EVERYTHING in a panto - every line, magic spell, romantic storyline - it’s for them. They drive the entire performance. Their reaction is everything.
HH: It’s 100% the backbone of panto - it’s what brings the thing alive.
CD: A lively audience can really help bring the energy. We will always give 100% to make every show special, and audience participation is half of that! We do all of this for the audience, so I really hope you enjoy it!
Can you tell us a pantomime joke?
FB: My husband died working in the Kenco coffee factory. He fell into a huge vat of granulated coffee. Terrible way to go, but it was instant.
HH: I made my way up to the very top of the food chain industry working at Old McDonald’s farm…I was the C-I-C-I-O!
FB: My husband died working in the Kenco coffee factory. He fell into a huge vat of granulated coffee. Terrible way to go, but it was instant.
HH: I made my way up to the very top of the food chain industry working at Old McDonald’s farm…I was the C-I-C-I-O!
If you were able to ask a Fairy Godmother for one wish, what would you ask for?
FB: I’d wish for a fortnight in Bora Bora!
HH: As a former Fairy Godmother, I would take her out for a coffee - she is a very busy lady!
CD: For Pokemon to be real, and for me to have my dream Pokemon team.
CMcF: Superpowers - preferably flight!
What was the first piece of theatre you saw which had a big impact on you?
FB: My first memory was Peter Pan in 1986 - I saw Rikki Fulton play Hook. I shouted out that he was a “bad man” and he responded “I eat little boys like you with brussel sprouts!” TRUE STORY!
HH: Baba Yaga at The Lyceum circa 1994. I had nightmares for weeks.
CD: I watched Annie when I was 10, and as a fellow ginger I felt seen.
CMcF: I saw Dear Evan Hansen in London - and that’s when I knew my path.
FB: My first memory was Peter Pan in 1986 - I saw Rikki Fulton play Hook. I shouted out that he was a “bad man” and he responded “I eat little boys like you with brussel sprouts!” TRUE STORY!
HH: Baba Yaga at The Lyceum circa 1994. I had nightmares for weeks.
CD: I watched Annie when I was 10, and as a fellow ginger I felt seen.
CMcF: I saw Dear Evan Hansen in London - and that’s when I knew my path.
What keeps you inspired?
FB: I love theatre. And I love panto. I want to inspire the next generation to come to the theatre all their lives. That keeps me inspired.
HH: Watching theatre. People-watching. Claudia Winkleman.
CD: Throughout my musical theatre journey my family has been my #1 supporter. Everything I do, I do for them.
CMcF: The people I surround myself with, who keep me going, and remind me about the important things in life.
FB: I love theatre. And I love panto. I want to inspire the next generation to come to the theatre all their lives. That keeps me inspired.
HH: Watching theatre. People-watching. Claudia Winkleman.
CD: Throughout my musical theatre journey my family has been my #1 supporter. Everything I do, I do for them.
CMcF: The people I surround myself with, who keep me going, and remind me about the important things in life.
What would you hope an audience member takes away from seeing the panto?
FB: I genuinely hope they leave the theatre feeling lighter in their souls, having laughed and forgotten their worries - if only for a while.
HH: Glitter in their knickers!
FB: I genuinely hope they leave the theatre feeling lighter in their souls, having laughed and forgotten their worries - if only for a while.
HH: Glitter in their knickers!
CD: Sparkles & Christmas joy!
Aladdie runs at The Gaiety Theatre in Ayr, Scotland, from Saturday 29th November until Sunday 4th January 2026. Tickets are available from https://thegaiety.co.uk/events/aladdie/
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