Scottish Pantomime: Dames, Doric and "Oh No It Isn't"
Contents
Every winter, theatres across Scotland fill with families for the pantomime: fairy tales retold with outrageous dames, slapstick, songs, local jokes and audience shouting. Pantomime is a British tradition, but Scotland has made it its own, with comedians who became legends in the role of the dame, such as Stanley Baxter in Glasgow, and long-running double acts, such as the Edinburgh King's Theatre trio of Allan Stewart, Andy Gray and Grant Stott. For many theatres, panto brings in a large share of the year's income. This card explores the Scottish panto.
TL;DR
- established Pantomime is a form of family theatre performed around Christmas and New Year, based on fairy tales and featuring a dame played by a man, a principal boy (traditionally played by a woman), slapstick, songs and audience participation.
- established Scottish pantomime developed from music hall and variety traditions and is known for local humour and Scots language.
- established Stanley Baxter starred as dame at the King's Theatre, Glasgow, for many years. Other famous Scottish panto stars include Jimmy Logan, Rikki Fulton, Johnny Beattie and Una McLean.
- established At Edinburgh's King's Theatre, Allan Stewart, Andy Gray and Grant Stott starred together for around two decades until Andy Gray's death in 2021.
- shared Pantomime is often said to provide a large proportion of many Scottish theatres' annual income and to introduce many children to theatre.
Key Facts
- Season
- Christmas and New Year
- Stories
- Fairy tales such as Cinderella, Aladdin, Jack and the Beanstalk
- Conventions
- The dame, the principal boy, slapstick, "Oh no it isn't!"
- Famous Glasgow dame
- Stanley Baxter, King's Theatre
- Edinburgh trio
- Allan Stewart, Andy Gray, Grant Stott
- Other stars
- Jimmy Logan, Rikki Fulton, Una McLean, Johnny Beattie
- Glasgow tradition
- Pavilion Theatre pantos
A Note on Claims and Evidence
Each major claim carries one of three labels. established means supported by primary records, official bodies or several independent reliable sources. shared means the core fact is sound but sources disagree on details, dates or interpretation. traditional means widely repeated but not traceable to a primary or independent source.
Claims about the share of theatre income from pantomime are commonly made by theatres but vary by venue and year.
Timeline
Pantomime develops on the London stage.
Pantomime spreads to Scottish theatres.
Variety and music hall comedians star in Scottish pantos.
Stanley Baxter at the King's Theatre, Glasgow.
The Stewart, Gray and Stott trio at the King's, Edinburgh.
Andy Gray dies.
Details
What is panto?
established Pantomime grew from the Italian commedia dell'arte and the harlequinade of eighteenth-century London theatre. By the nineteenth century, it had become a Christmas entertainment based on fairy tales, with a dame, played by a man in outrageous costume, a principal boy, often played by a woman, a villain to boo, slapstick and audience participation such as "He's behind you!" and "Oh no it isn't!"
A Scottish flavour
established In Scotland, pantomime drew on the music hall and variety traditions, which were very strong in Glasgow and other cities. Scottish pantos are known for local references, jokes about rival towns and football teams, and dialogue in Scots.
Great dames
established Stanley Baxter became one of the most celebrated pantomime dames, starring at the King's Theatre in Glasgow for many seasons. Jimmy Logan, Rikki Fulton, Johnny Beattie and Una McLean were among other stars of Scottish panto.
The Edinburgh trio
established At the King's Theatre in Edinburgh, Allan Stewart as the dame, Andy Gray and Grant Stott formed a hugely popular team for around two decades. Andy Gray died in 2021, and the theatre paid tribute to him.
Why panto matters
shared For many Scottish theatres, the pantomime season is financially vital, and for many children it is their first experience of live theatre.
Did You Know?
- The pantomime dame is traditionally played by a man.
- Stanley Baxter was a famous Glasgow dame.
- Scottish pantos are full of local jokes.
- The Edinburgh King's trio performed together for around two decades.
- "Oh no it isn't!" is a classic panto call.
FAQ
1What is a pantomime?
A Christmas family show based on fairy tales, with comedy, songs and audience participation.
2What is a dame?
A comic female character played by a man.
3Who were famous Scottish panto stars?
Stanley Baxter, Jimmy Logan, Rikki Fulton, Allan Stewart and Andy Gray, among others.
4Why is panto important?
It brings in income for theatres and introduces children to theatre.
5Is panto uniquely Scottish?
No, it is a British tradition with a strong Scottish flavour.
Sources and Further Reading
Primary/Institutional
- Paul Maloney, Scotland and the Music Hall, 1850–1914 (Manchester University Press, 2003)
Further reading
- Millie Taylor, British Pantomime Performance (Intellect, 2007)
Caveats: Myths and Disputed Claims
- Do not claim pantomime is a Scottish invention.
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