Musselburgh’s well-loved local theatre joins the ranks of venues returning to live performances for this Yule season. This year’s pantomime, Hansel and Gretel, comes from the pen of award winning writer and theatre maker, John Binnie. John, who was the founder and director of Glasgow’s Clyde Unity Theatre, has been behind past successful pantos in the Honest Toun, such as Jack and the Beanstalk in 2018 and Cinderella in 2019. In 2020 he wrote and directed Rapunzel The Pantomime, a family film, which was seen by many schools and families online during last year’s festive period when there was no live theatre.
The admirable tradition of involving young folk to join the professional cast continues and auditions took place in September to recruit local young talent. Among the professional cast will be some familiar faces such as Eilidh Weir in the role of Gretel, Ross Donnachie as her wee brother Hansel, Graham Crammond in the role of Dame Maisie Nature and Wendy Seager as Witch Wart-Nose. The creative team includes set and costume designer Robin Mitchell, musical director Tommie Travers and Amy Robinson as choreographer.
The Brunton specialise in producing pantomimes with a time honoured recipe of old fashioned interactive fun for all the family from ages 4 to 104 so start laying out your path of breadcrumbs to Musselburgh for Hansel & Gretel The Pantomime!
Hansel & Gretel The Pantomime runs from 7th – 31st December 2021 with tickets available from The Brunton on 0131 653 5245 or http://www.thebrunton.co.uk
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 