This week I saw a Provost get straddled by a dame and a wolf turn into Benson Boone. The Weans in the Wood pantomime was a whirlwind mix of well known woodland fairytale characters – Hansel, Gretel, Red Riding Hood, the big bad wolf – but very much its own creation.
As the twentieth year for the Macrobert Arts Centre pantomime to be written and directed by Johnny McKnight, it was everything you wouldn’t expect. An ode to the memes of the year, it is an absurd show. If you want to join in with belting out an emotional rendition of K-Pop Demon Hunters Golden, and a Steve’s Lava Chicken break to distract the baddie, this is the pantomime for you this festive season.
The Panto Plot
The plotline is comedic, easy to follow while you’re watching but somewhat insane to recall. It follows Hansel No-Solo and Gretel on a mission to win back their power source from the thieving Red Riding Hood, and fending off the evil Sheriff of Stirling- Stella- ham. On the press night on December 4 the actors remained in good spirits although a little amused as some of their jokes designed for school audiences didn’t quite land with the adults watching that night, like a 6-7 that never caught on.
The highlight of the night was when Clackmannanshire Provost Donald Balsillie was brought on stage to join in with an impressive version of One Day More from Les Misérables. As the cast gave a passionate performance, Balsillie carried it by saying “one day more” when McKnight tapped the back of his head.
It undoubtedly picked up in the second half of the show, while the characters heroic ending and defeating the infamous pantomime villain played out. Played by Robbie Jack, he was a brilliant pantomime villain, evil but also hilarious, attracting a lot of booing. His sidekick played by Robin MacKenzie was a big, bad wolf who looked suspiciously like he was wearing a Benson Boone look the whole of the first act, before transforming into a human and singing Mr Electric Blue in act two.
How to Watch it This Festive Season
A fun night out for the panto fans among us, Weans in the Wood will continue to play at Macrobert Arts Centre until January 3rd.
Featured Image Credit – Tommy Ga-Ken Wan