Although Cinderella will no doubt go to the ball in the panto at the Festival Theatre, she was unavailable for the official launch on Tuesday evening. But never fear, Fairy May was there along with Buttons – and a slightly underdressed Hibernia, the wicked stepmother.
Grant Stott, who plays the baddie once more, explained that for reasons of continuity he could not shave off the beard he has grown to play Sam Spiller, the character he portrays in River City – but equally he would not have felt comfortable dressing up as Hibernia while sporting a beard. He played himself while the others dressed up in wigs and costumes and conducted the Q&A with members of the cast from the Gang Show in the invited audience.
All the cast agreed that this is their favourite pantomime and Capital Theatres is now “panto ready” for the fairy godmother of all pantos, the sparkling Cinderella which runs from 23 November – 31 December.
As usual it will be packed with all the traditional ingredients that make a panto tick, but there may be a slight change in the order (particularly after rehearsals begin!) The cast were honest, telling the small audience that they only rehearse for 10 days ahead of the opening show (although they are already learning their lines and the songs). Well, Jordan Young lamented that he has no songs to learn….
Allan Stewart, Grant Stott and Jordan Young are the stars along with Clare Gray returning for her sixth Edinburgh pantomime as one of the ugly sisters. Gail Watson from Bonnyrigg joins the family this year after a gap of 23 years since she played Peter Pan, and will play the other ugly sister. During her 30 year career, Gail has worked with a variety of theatre companies including Dundee Rep where she played the original Lizzie Henshaw in Sunshine on Leith on the Festival Theatre stage, National Theatre of Scotland, Traverse, Pitlochry Festival Theatre, many Play, Pie and Pint productions at Oran mor, Coventry Belgrade and she has also toured internationally. She was performing with Grant and Jordan at this year’s Edinburgh Festival in Chemo Savvy, a play inspired by the late, great Andy Gray and is currently playing Dr Gillian Gibson in BBC’s River City.
Allan Stewart was the one to mention that he had only played once in River City – and has never been asked back…
Scottish actress and Coatbridge-born Amber Sylvia Edwards is coming back to Scotland to make her pantomime debut and she will take on the role of Cinderella. Amber’s theatre credits Include The Good John Proctor (Jermyn Street Theatre), Macbeth (The Royal Shakespeare Company), Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (The Aldwych, West End), Orphans (The National Theatre of Scotland) and Dirty Dancing (UK tour).
Cinderella is produced by the world’s biggest pantomime producer, Crossroads Pantomimes and will be at The Festival Theatre from 23 November to 31 December. Owing to the works at the King’s taking longer than thought it will be Christmas 2026 before the pantomime returns there.
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