Young reviewers deliver their verdicts on the best pantomimes in Scotland

With so many to choose from, how in the name of pantoland are you supposed to decide? Don’t worry, our team of intrepid young reviewers and their families have been scouring Scotland for the best shows around. From Perth to the Pavilion, from the east end to Edinburgh, here is what they found.

MOTHER GOOSE, PALACE THEATRE, KILMARNOCK

Runs until December 30.

Reviewed by the Hannahs from Clarkston and the McConnells from Robroyston – Eva, 8, Joseph, 5, and mum Alison with Gabriella, 10 and Millie, 8 and mum Leah.

What’s it about? Liam Dolan, Douglas Sannachan and Jimmy Chisholm star in this story about the goose that lays the golden egg and the nasties who try to steal it away. There is romance and intrigue as well as the requisite panto baddie. The young dance troupe were great, while all the favoured jokes of the season were served up.

Kids’ verdict: Eva: “I liked the dancers the best, but I thought that the Demon King was very scary. The eyes on his pitch fork made me nervous!” Joseph: “I loved the Ghostbusters bit when the ghosts were behind them but they couldn’t see them, even though we kept shouting to tell them.” Gabriella: “I liked all of it.” Millie: “I liked it when they were flying through the air on the goose.”

Parents’ verdict: All the usual staples of panto are there but at two and a quarter hours it is long for little ones.

Funniest bit: The actors ad-libbing at a couple of fluffed lines and the Asda sketch raised a few laughs.

Scariest bit: The Demon King working his hypnotic magic.

Best bit: The sing-along at the end.

Mark out of ten: 7

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS, MOTHERWELL THEATRE

Runs until January 3

REVIEWED BY: Mia Caffrey, 11, from Motherwell, her mum Jackie, gran Patricia and friends Elise and Elizabeth, both 11.

WHAT’S IT ABOUT? Snow White is a lonely princess cast out into the woods by her wicked stepmother who finds out from her ‘Magic Mirror’ – Motherwell’s own Tam Cowan – that the young girl is now the fairest of them all. Lost and frightened, Snow White discovers the seven dwarfs and all is going well until the wicked queen turns up with a poisoned apple…..                                                                                                                             

KIDS’ VERDICT: The girls loved it, especially the seven dwarfs. Mia: “We’re going back with our  school for a Christmas treat and we can’t wait.”

PARENTS’ VERDICT: It’s a good production, great fun for the whole family in an intimate venue. Ian ‘Sheepie’ Smith, who plays Jimmy The Jester, is the star of the show, though the inclusion of Mac & Tosh this year added to the fun. 

FUNNIEST BIT: Difficult to choose, but the kids loved the sweetie cart sketch when some of the characters made up lines to include names of chocolates.

SCARIEST BIT: Seeing Tam Cowan’s face in the Magic Mirror

BEST BIT: Lots of local references, all the funnier because there were some Motherwell football players in the audience.

MARK OUT OF TEN: 9/10

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN, PAVILION THEATRE

Runs until January 17.

Reviewed by the McConnell family from Netherlee - Matthew, 14, Michael, 12, and Luke, 6, with mum and dad Karen and Ian.

What’s it about? Pavilion panto regular Johnny Mac returns as Elfie the Selfie in an original tale featuring shadowy villains named Hank and Marvin (Leah MacRae and Tyler Collins). The baddies are attempting to steal Christmas trees and presents. Handy Sandy (panto veteran Dean Park), Nanny ‘Nae’ Nonsense (Gary Lamont is once again impressive as the dame), Kev (River City’s Stephen Purdon) and Hev (Michele Gallagher) are among the band of heroes who travel to Santa Claus Land to save the day. The production features vuvuzelas, Elvis impersonations, and even Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer.

Funniest bit: Johnny Mac trying to stay on the sloping bed. And a way over-the-top, chaotic adaptation of The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Scariest bit: It’s not too scary, although Fairy Bells (Nicola Park) certainly frightens Hank and Marvin.

Best bit: The song just before the interval, with the unforgettable lyrics: “Santa’s A Scotsman, come on make a fuss. Too many pies, not enough exercise. Of course he’s one of us.”

Parents’ verdict: A warm Christmas tale.

Kids’ verdict: Luke: “Great. I liked the bit when Rudolph came out. The funniest joke was - what do you get when you cross Santa Claus with a duck? A Christmas quacker!” Michael: “I liked The Twelve Days of Christmas song, and listen out for the joke about Newton Mearns.” Matthew: “Some parts were funny.”

Mark out of ten: 10

Rapunzel, Citizens Theatre

Runs until: January 3

Reviewed by: Patti Atkinson, 7, with her mum Lorraine, auntie Caroline and friend Amelia, 7, from North Kelvinside.

What's it all about: Writer Annie Siddons adds a bit of light to the dark and menacing Brother's Grimm tale. Set in the lush Tuscan countryside, Rapunzel is discovered abandoned as a baby in a kindly herbalist's garden. As Rapunzel comes of age, her loving but overbearing mother locks her in a tower to protect her from the world beyond their garden. With the help of a wild pig and some bumbling criminal types, the fearless heroine sets out to find her lost love.

Kids' verdict: Patti: "I liked the bit when the sparkly curtain came down and the funny man started singing. My favourite character was Rapunzel." Amelia: "I was a bit scared when the witch was flying at the end.”

Parents' verdict: Heartwarming and funny with a visually impressive set, in particular the giant curtain of Rapunzel's hair. There is plenty of audience interaction, a few jokes for the adults and some catchy tunes. Cat Myers, drummer with Glasgow grunge duo Honeyblood is among the cast and Wendy Seager is superb in the dual roles of Mother and Paulo.

Funniest bit: Most of the laughs come from Buttons-esque cartoon villain Ambrosi.

Scariest bit: The scene where Mother Gothel hacks off Rapunzel's hair might spook the youngest audience members but overall nothing too terrifying for older children.

Best bit: A shimmering golden curtain falls and Ambrosi slips on a sequinned jacket and joins Rapunzel for a catchy number about true love.

Mark out of ten: 8

Snow White, King’s Theatre, Glasgow

Runs until January 10.

Reviewed by: The Wallace family from East Kilbride - Archie, 12, and Harry, 7, with mum and dad Ann and Fraser.

What’s it all about? Snow White (the lovely Jenny Hayley-Douglas, who doesn’t get enough to do) is banished by her wicked stepmother (Juliet Cadzow) for being too beautiful, but Hector the henchman (Gregor Fisher) chickens out of killing her and lets her escape to live with the seven dwarves. But the wicked queen catches up with her and poisons her with an apple. It’s up to handsome Prince Lorenzo (Allan Jay) and hilarious Muddles (Des Clarke) to save the day!

Kids’ verdict: Harry: “Hector was funny, especially the bit when he does Highland dancing and pretends he is not trying to kill Snow White.” Archie: “It was great, but I always feel a bit sorry for Des Clarke, because he never gets anyone to fall in love with him. He should be the hero next year.”

Parents’ verdict: Lots of panto fun, with Fisher and Clarke a fine new double act that surely has to be back next year, lovely singing from Jenny and Allan and some good gags, but it does feel like the oomph is missing until the second half.

Funniest bit: Hector’s reply to Muddles’ fearful question: “Who is that?” when Loopy the dwarf appears at the side of the stage. “I don’t know, but he’s miles away,” deadpans the not-so-wicked henchman.

Scariest bit: The boys didn’t think the wicked queen was at all scary, but the freaky mirror with its floating head and weird mouth gave them the heebie-jeebies.

Best bit: Watching hoards of small children scream themselves hoarse in a bid to prevent poor Snow White from taking a bite out of THAT apple.

Mark out of 10: 8

Beauty and the Beast, Perth Concert Hall, Perth, runs until Saturday, December 26.

REVIEWED BY: The Lindsay family, Adam, 8, and Sam, 5, and their mum and dad Nicola and Matthew from Cambuslang.

WHAT’S IT ABOUT? Deadly Nightshade placed a curse on Prince Sebastian for rejecting her marriage proposal and turned him into The Beast. He has shut himself away from the world in Auchendreich Castle ever since. Only a kiss will break the evil spell. But will he fall in love with Belle before the final petal falls from the rose on the castle wall? Will the dastardly Blair Atholl get his hands on him before that? Every member of the cast gave a stellar performance. Barrie Hunter as Betty Blumenthal and Harry Ward as her son Boabby stole the show.

KIDS’ VERDICT: Loved it.  Sam liked the, er, rude noises. Adam enjoyed Betty’s Len Goodman impersonation. Both got into the swing of things quickly and were disappointed when the curtain came down at the end.  

PARENTS’ VERDICT: Excellent. A polished production in a great venue. Bright, contemporary, funny, imaginative and slick. The musicianship of those involved on stage and off it was especially impressive.

FUNNIEST BIT: Sam enjoyed when Betty and Boaby were caught short outside Auchendreich Castle and were looking for a toilet. But there were belly laughs aplenty for every member of the family. “He comes from a long line of Atholles,” raised a chuckle from mum and dad. 

SCARIEST BIT: When Nightshade tries to take Belle down to join The Living Dead.

BEST BIT: The traditional end of show sing-a-long – to Wedding Bells instead of Jingle Bells - before Belle got married to Prince Sebastien got everyone on their feet.

MARK OUT OF TEN: 9/10.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, King’s Theatre, Edinburgh

RUNS UNTIL: Sunday January 17

REVIEWED BY: Tessa Schoen, aged six-and-a-half, from Dunbar and her mum Helen Puttick

WHAT’S IT ABOUT? The wicked queen, played by Radio Forth DJ and panto regular Grant Stott, does not only want to be the fairest in the land, she’s also taken a shine to Prince Hamish. That’s a problem because the young Prince hopes to marry Snow White instead. When the queen’s plan to have Snow White killed in the woods goes awry (thanks in part to seven small men who want a cleaner) our heroine has more to fear than a poisoned apple.

KIDS’ VERDICT: Tessa: “This pantomime is fantabulous. Nurse May (the dame) and Hector (her sidekick) are very funny. But it also had scary bits. The magic mirror is very cool. I liked it when everyone danced around for Snow White’s birthday party. I would really, really like to see it again.”

PARENTS’ VERDICT: “Not short on fun factor and, unusually for Snow White, worth seeing for the dinosaur alone. The set is spectacular, with some great surprises, and a cute dwarf house – although it’s not on stage for long. The wicked queen, Nurse May and Hector dominate everything. In the first half the adult asides risk taking over, almost obliterating any coherent storyline, and the local references are pretty lame. The second half is slicker and the end of show song, where the set starts falling apart, along with a razzle dazzle wedding helps it end on a high.”

FUNNIEST BIT: For Tessa, when Hector’s shoes made parping sounds.

SCARIEST BIT: Possibly the dinosaur bearing its teeth – but judging from near-by wails the wicked queen intimidated some.

BEST BIT: The end, “when they all looked so beautiful” says Tessa. The costumes and set sparkle more than anyone.

MARK OUT OF TEN: 7-and-a-half

Sleeping Betty at the Tron Theatre

Runs until January 3

Reviewed by the Braidens from Lenzie: Aoibhy, 10, Calum, 5, James, 2, dad Gerry and mum Clare

What’s it about? Set in Pantalooney-land, Sleeping Betty is a gallus and camp take on the classic tale. Our journey begins with Hamish the talking, and very flatulent, Hamster (Julie Nimmo Smith AKA Balamory's Miss Hoolie), who warns us about her best friend Betty's problems staying awake. She kicks the action off by inadvertently inviting the evil witch Fairly Evil (the clue is in the 'fairly' bit) to Princess Betty's birthday ball. Cue a few tunes straight from the Rocky Horror songbook, some genuinely laugh-out-loud audience interactions and classic Glasgow patter staying the right side of naff.

Kids’ verdict: Aoibhy: "Handsome Dan and his "foncy doncing" stole the show. It was hilarious when he shouted at the cleaner and made the rest of the cast forget their lines. I hope he didn't get into trouble for it." Calum: "Farting hamsters are funny. But I didn't know it was Miss Hoolie."

Parents’ verdict: “Can there be a more festive venue than the Tron, with the old Kirk clock tower like something from a scenery backdrop? No one goes to panto for a plot line but by the second part, storyline-wise it was a bit thin.”

Funniest bit: Whenever Handsome Dan opened his mouth or strutted his stuff.

Scariest bit: Fairly Evil's spine-tingling cackle

Best bit: The twist at the end involving Handsome Dan.

Mark out of ten: 8

Peter Pan, Clyde Auditorium

Runs until January 3.

REVIEWED BY: Abbie Leckie, 9, from Coatbridge, her sister Amber, 3, and family friend Bill Bain

WHAT’S IT ABOUT: The world’s most inexplicable entertainment act are perfectly cast in this ‘wha’s like us’ interpretation of JM Barrie’s tale of lost innocence and aging process anxiety, Kranking up the near-the-knuckle innuendo to new heights of salacious fandabbiedoziness. David ‘The Hoff’ Hasselhoff continues his restless examination of self by channelling both Frank-N-Furter and Toast of London for his portrayal of Captain Hook, a manic dandy suffering post traumatic stress syndrome after having his arm chopped off by a small flying child. Local lass Michelle McManus lends support as Mimi the Mermaid, who despite being dressed as Liberace playing Aquaman, is the only thing in this two-hour experiment in star-sailing surreality that anchors the Clyde Auditorium to planet Earth and reminds us reality still exists somewhere out there.

KIDS’ VERDICT: Abbie: “I really liked the underwater 3D bit where we had to put our glasses on and lots of sharks and crocodiles burst out of the screen, it was brilliant. I also thought wee Jimmy and Captain Hook were funny.” Amber: “I liked it when everybody had to bring Tinkerbell back to life by saying they believed in fairies. Everyone was happy when she was back on the stage, I believe in fairies.”

GROWN-UPS’ VERDICT: “All hail the Hoff - not forgetting wee Jimmy and his pal. This is genuinely great entertainment for all ages and everyone involved was obviously having a ball. Don’t miss it.”

FUNNIEST BIT: Ian Krankie’s prop mishap with a ‘floppy’ plastic dagger drew some saucy, quick-witted ad-libs from wife Jeanette and the couple’s unprintable reference to Debbie McGee also had adults in the crowd wide-eyed and slack-jawed at its audacity.

SCARIEST BIT: The solo scene featuring Wee Jimmy Krankie surfing in a Baywatch swimming costume while crooning a Beach Boys pastiche littered with ‘Glesga banter’ was a one act play of existentialist horror.

BEST BIT: A masterpiece in tightly-scripted cheeky wordplay with the Krankies and The Hoff debating how to go about the business of plucking pheasants. Simplistic and purile, maybe, but genuinely hilarious with years of finely-honed comedic timing coming into play by all performers.

MARK OUT OF TEN: 9

THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

THE LYCEUM, EDINBURGH, RUNS UNTIL JANUARY 3

REVIEWED BY: Daniel and Louis Shields, aged 13 and 11, from Kelvindale with mum and dad Kate and Graham

WHAT’S IT ABOUT CS Lewis’s classic book gets a lively festive stage treatment. Four sibling evacuees escape the blitz to a big house in the country and discover the magical land of Narnia at the back of an old wardrobe. The brothers and sisters are soon fighting in a battle between good and evil as they help break the wicked White Witch’s spell which has doomed Narnia to be a land where it is always winter but never Christmas. 

KIDS’ VERDICT: The boys enjoyed the show. Daniel: "It was very atmospheric. I think the operator of the fake smoke machine loved pressing the button to set it off." Louis: "It wasn't full of shiny costumes and jokes like the pantomime last year (at the Tron) but it was a really good story." 

PARENTS’ VERDICT: Great venue, smashing performances from a talented cast, pacy storytellyng, inventive staging and a strong score featuring some good songs. What's not to like? 

FUNNIEST BIT: The White Witch's sleigh driver's head popped in and out of his massive winter coat like a tortoise. The housekeeper at the big house got a few good laughs with her shrill bossiness.

SCARIEST BIT: The White Witch - do as she says or you will be turned into stone. 

BEST BIT: Aslan the Lion comes back to life to save the day and free the land.

MARK OUT OF TEN: 9