Edinburgh Panto: Behind the scenes with the cast of the Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan

Edinburgh’s beloved panto is back and this year Peter Pan has flown into Edinburgh to put on a magical show at the Festival Theatre.

With extravagant costumes and punchy one-liners, audiences are sure to be hooked by this tale of Peter Pan, like you’ve never heard it before.

It’s filled with favourites like comedian Allan Stewart and broadcaster Grant Stott, who are each marking a milestone in their careers.

This year Allan is commemorating 25 years as the pantomime dame, Aunty May, while Grant marks his 25th year with the Edinburgh panto.

Grant Stott making a striking entrance as Captain Hook. STV News

Allan, who plays Mrs Smee, said: “I remember I was playing parts like Wishy Washy and Aladdin and Buttons and all that and then my manager said ‘why don’t you do a dame’ and I said ‘oh no, wearing all these different frocks, I can’t be bothered’.

“And the thing was, I get into my frock and I thought, ‘that’s it, I will never be a man again. I’ll be a dame for the rest of my life’ and that’s the way it’s worked out 25 years later, it’s unbelievable.”

But at well as some familiar there are also a few new faces in the cast.

Kieran Lynch, who plays Peter Pan in the production, is making his panto debut.

He said: “I’ve seen this panto since I was about five years old, I came with my family and now I’m getting to work with all these amazing people that I’ve watched for so long.

“A little bit of trivia actually, Tink is actually my ex-dance teacher so I’ve known Rebecca for years – so she’s actually taught me years ago so it feels like a full circle moment, my teacher and now I get to perform with her which is great.”

Rebecca Stenhouse, who plays Tinkerbell said: “I’ve been coming to the pantomime since I was a kid, I’ve grown up watching Edinburgh panto so to be in the rehearsal room today with Allan and Grant and people I’ve watched my whole life, it’s been an absolute blast.

“It’s showing my age but I did actually used to teach Peter Pan but listen that’s kind of like Tinkerbell teaches Peter the ways, I feel like it was meant to be.”

It’s the second year the cast have performed at the festival theatre since the redevelopment of their home at the King’s which is expected to reopen in 2025.

Grant, who plays Captain Hook, said: “We’re here at the Festival Theatre again. This is our second year away from our natural home at the King’s which is obviously getting beautified for a couple of years’ time.

“So, anyone who came to see us last year will realise just how big this production is because we have the space. We literally have this massive stage we’re allowed to fill so we have all these toys, the lights, the sound, just visually it’s amazing to come and see it.”

The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan runs until December 31.