'Rapunzel, Rapunzel let down your hair...' for Christmas - Liam Rudden

It's a very bizarre year for anyone who loves the art of pantomime.

Johnny McKnight in Rapunzel

Earlier this week my heart went out to our own Edinburgh panto legends Allan Stewart and Andy Gray when, having seen the King's spectacular postponed until 2021 at the start of the pandemic, their replacement outing in Milton Keynes, a panto they’d been signed up to do for one year only, was forced to cancel less than 48 hours before opening as the area was moved into Tier Few pantos have survived this year, with many theatres choosing to film their festive offering instead. That's what The Brunton and the National Theatre of Scotland have done, both plumping to bring very different versions of Rapunzel to the screen.

The Brunton​ Rapunzel​, filmed behind closed doors at​ ​the ​Musselburgh​ theatre, is written and directed by John Binnie and ​tells the ​story of​ the girl with the golden locks​, ​shut away in a tower ​by an evil sorceress ​before being rescued by her pal, Jammy ​Dodger. With underlying themes of isolation and the value of friendship​, ​it​'s ​told with songs, slapstick, local references and ​a cast of familiar favourites.

Graham Crammond, one of the best dames in the business, ​returns to spar with Wendy Seager’s nicely nasty witch, while Eildih Weir ​is back in the title role with Ross Donnachie ​as​ Jammy Dodger.

​An hour long watch, it's sure to prove popular with younger fans of The Brunton pantomime even if the biggest baddie in the land, Covid-19, robs it of that most vital element of any panto experience - the shouting out and singing along. Yes, nodding your head and giving a silent thumbs up just doesn't create the same magic, but there is a nice bit of nonsense filmed on the streets of the Honest Toun that lifts the heart.

The National Theatre of Scotland’s Rapunzel, a hairy tale adventure, is directed by Johnny McKnight​ and written by, takes deep breath… ​Apphia Campbell, Johnny McKnight, Uma Nada-Rajah, Morna Pearson, Stef Smith, Meghan Tyler and Anita Vettesse​. I know, Snow White had seven dwarfs, but a Rapunzel with seven writers!?!

The exciting thing about this production is that it’s filmed ​on location ​in and around Stirling Castle​. D​escribed as 'a celebration of theatricality, music and storytelling’ it claims to be a chance ‘to hear from every character in this well-known hairy fairy tale, untangled and re-braided for this day and age​'.

So, if you think you know the story of Rapunzel, think again. In this version there’s a hairdresser whose life mission is to track Rapunzel down, and our heroine has a twin brother who is terrified of taking the throne. Not forgetting there's a six foot tall, all singing all dancing psychic rose. Only in pantoland. I look forward to seeing it.

It will be available to view online from December 23 to​ ​January​ 4, 2021, tickets​ range from from £0 to £25. The Brunton is free to watch online on December 18, 19, 21-26, 28-January 3, 2021 January.

If like me, you believe nothing captures the magic of the festive season like a good panto, these could be for you, and on that note may I just wish you all a very peaceful Christmas, in this most peculiar of years.

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