Aladdie is a boy who’s so skint he hasnae even got a name. He’s just a laddie. In the bubbly town of Bubblenauld, he works at the legendary Manky Washing laundrette with his hard-working mum Widow Manky and his best pal Peely Wally, a ginormous singing pigeon with more feathers than sense. But disaster is looming. His greedy Uncle Rab Anazer plans to swindle Widow Manky out of the laundrette and flatten it for good.
Can Aladdie outsmart his villainous uncle, save the family business and win the heart of the gorgeous Lorna Sausage? There’s only one way to find out if it will it all come out in the wash…
This brilliantly bubbly, fantastically funny Scottish panto will be brought to life by Carmen Pieracinni (River City, Dog Squad, The Chief) as Widow Manky and Andy Clark (Shetland, River City, Rebus) as Rab Anazer. They’re joined by, Éimi Quinn (Members Only – A Play, a Pie and a Pint, Ceaser – Bard in the Botanics) as Peely Wally and Jorgey Scott Learmonth (Gallus in Weegieland – Tron Theatre, Brave Macbeth – Edinburgh Fringe) as Lorna Sausage along with Lawrence Smith (Scots – Raw Material, The Sound of Music – Pitlochry Festival Theatre) as Aladdie, and Siân Campbell (Little Shop of Horrors – Northern Stage/Derby Theatre, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)) as musical director and ensemble.
Writer Forbes Masson said: ‘Aladdie is set in a magical town called Bubblenauld, a town in the central belt of Tartania, not unlike Cumbernauld, the place where the waters meet. But in this alternate Christmassy Pantoverse, it’s much more tinselly, singalong and sillier, and the crashing of those meeting waters makes the town full of bubbles.
I am thrilled and excited to have my creative brother-in-arms Gordon Dougall direct it, the extremely talented Steve Lauder Russell as choreographer and Siân Campbell as Musical Director. I have always wanted to have my work designed by Kenny Miller, so it’s another dream come true to get to work with him on design, along with the sensational Jennie Lööf on costume (who did the original production).’
Cumbernauld Theatre Interim CEO, Patricia Stead said, ‘It’s wonderful to be working with Forbes, Gordon and Raw Material on our panto for 2026. Earlier this week, Forbes and Gordon joined one of our Youth Theatre sessions to meet some of the young people who will be appearing in the production. Bringing together an experienced creative team with local young performers is at the heart of what makes this project special, and we look forward to sharing Aladdie with audiences this Christmas.’
Aladdie marks Raw Material’s first pantomime production and reunites Forbes Masson and Gordon Dougall, whose previous collaborations have entertained Scottish audiences for decades.
Raw Material’s Executive Producers, Gillian Garrity & Margaret-Anne O’Donnell said, ‘We’re delighted to be collaborating with Cumbernauld Theatre, Forbes Masson and Gordon Dougall on Aladdie, our first ever pantomime. With a fantastic cast and creative team in place, we can’t wait to bring this bubblelicious festive adventure to audiences this Christmas.’
Director Gordan Dougall said, ‘I am delighted to be directing Aladdie, written by my great friend Forbes Masson, this year at Cumbernauld Theatre. Working alongside Raw Material marks a new chapter in my long association with the Pantosphere. We have assembled a terrific cast, an excellent Musical Director and a talented production team. Forbes and I have collaborated on many successful productions and I believe this promises to be one of our best.’
Aladdie will run at Lanternhouse Main Auditorium from Thu 26 November to Thu 24 December, with an opening press performance on Tue 1 December at 7pm.
