FOR the last 50 years, along with the Queen's speech, the King's Theatre panto has been a mainstay of Christmas in Glasgow.

From the legendary comic antics of Stanley Baxter and Rikki Fulton to more recent shows starring Karen Dunbar, Elaine C Smith and Gavin Mitchell, thousands of families every year make a festive date at the Bath Street venue.

The first panto staged at the theatre took place in 1964, when Johnny Beattie and Faye Lenore starred in A Wish for a Jamie.

Since then, 14 different pantos have been put on over the years, including Cinderella, Aladdin and Sleeping Beauty.

Stanley Baxter ,one of Britain's top pantomime dames, wrote, directed and played the dame in Cinderella at the King's in the 1980s.

The management asked him to bring back the same production the following year.

He refused, but said 'maybe in eight or 10 years.'

He kept his promise and returned to his home city and the King's stage for his final pantomime appearance in 1991.

In 2005, First Family Entertainment took over production of the annual pantomime.

This year, to celebrate the golden anniversary of panto at the King's Theatre, a swashbuckling production of Peter Pan will be staged.

Peter Pan will be flying on to the King's Theatre stage on December 6 until January 11.

At the launch event, held on the Tall Ship at the Riverside Museum, the show's cast gave journalists a teaser of what to expect at this year's show.

Still Game's Gavin Mitchell (Bobby the Barman in the sitcom), will swap pints for a cutlass as he steps into the role of the villainous Captain Hook.

At the presentation he dared Peter Pan, who will be played by River City's Scott Fletcher, to try and rescue Wendy, played by panto debutante Joanne McGuiness.

Also joining the cast this year will be Gary Tank Commander star Greg McHugh, who will play Captain Hook's lackey, Smee.

Greg said: "I'm extremely excited to be appearing in panto for the very first time and to be part of the King's 50th anniversary celebrations makes it even more special."

Capital FM presenter and comedian Des Clarke will star as Pirate Starkey.

He said: "Panto is the ultimate way for the audience to get involved with the show - at the King's we are very much aware we are doing this for the Glasgow punters."

kriss.gunn@ eveningtimes.co.uk