The cast of Jack And The Beanstalk gathered at the Aberdeen letters to launch this year's panto, coming to His Majesty's Theatre this Christmas. Image - Aberdeen Inspired.
Christmas came (very) early to the Granite City today when the stars of Jack And The Beanstalk arrived at the iconic Aberdeen letters to launch this year’s pantomime at His Majesty’s.
And in the warm sunshine of the summer solstice, the panto cast – including Gary: Tank Commander and legendary HMT dame Alan McHugh - said they couldn’t wait to return to bring laughter and magic over the festive season.
The team created a bit of a stir in Union Terrace Gardens as passers-by watched them pose for photos in and around the Aberdeen letters, brought to the city by Aberdeen Inspired.
“Jack And The Beanstalk is going to be a cracker – a Christmas cracker - and we have the same triumphant cast as last year returning in its entirety. We are going to have a ball and so is the audience,” said Alan, who will mark his 20th year as HMT’s panto dame.
Spelling out the magic with the cast of Jack And The Beanstalk at the Aberdeen letters. Image - Aberdeen Inspired
“I can’t believe it’s 20 years… I can’t believe the Aberdeen people haven’t set up a petition to get rid of me. But I’ll be here as long as they want me and I can’t wait to be back this Christmas.
Meanwhile, Gary: Tank Commander said he was delighted to be coming back to HMT’s panto for a second year.
“It’s like when another war kicks off and I look forward to it. It’s great to be back here in the conflict of theatre with my fellow soldiers. The enemy is not the audience, the enemy is the artistic insecurities within. I have overcome them and will be victorious in my performance… thank you for listening,” he said, staying firmly in character as Scotland’s best-loved squaddie.
Joining in the fun today was His Majesty’s panto stalwart Paul J Corrigan, who will be playing Pat the Cow.
“It’s great to be back as always. The costume is going to be rather sweaty under the lights but I’m very much looking forward to it,” he said.
Michael Karl-Lewis, Alan McHugh and Gary: Tank Commander are all looking forward to panto magic at HMT with Jack And The Beanstalk this Christmas. Image - Aberdeen Inspired
And his message to people coming to see Jack And The Beanstalk at His Majesty’s this Christmas?
“Moooooo!”
Aberdeen’s own rising star Danielle Jam is playing the Spirit of the Beans in the panto.
She said: “This panto is just a dream and I love working with these guys. I’m so excited that it’s the entire cast we had last year coming back this year. We all feel like one big family and I’m excited to bring panto magic to Aberdeen.”
From Saturday, November 30, they will be joined by the rest of the cast – Aberdeen’s own Danielle Jam, Julie Coombe, Michael Karl-Lewis and Jemma Ferries for Jack And The Beanstalk which will run until Sunday, January 5.
For more information and tickets visit aberdeenperformingarts.com