Kirkcaldy’s great wee panto announces 2026 show – and a big change
Kirkcaldy’s famous wee panto has announced its 2026 show - and a big move!
The Kings Theatre is staging its unique version of Oor Wee Robyn Hood this Christmas, but the show is leaving the Esplanade venue for a temporary home at Linton Lane Centre.
The move comes ahead of plans to start work on the demolition of the dilapidated cinema which sits right behind the venue.
With every chance that preparatory work will start before the end of the year, the trustees at the Kings have decided to make the move to avoid any issues impacting on a packed schedule of over 50 shows across December and into January, with plans to return to the Kings in 2027.
They describe the move as “just like spending one Christmas with the in-laws and one at hame!”
Panto doyen Billy Mack returns to head up the five-strong cast, but there are changes on and off the stage this year after back to back nominations as ‘panto of the year’ in the CATS awards - the Scottish theatre critics annual prizes for the very best stage shows actress the country.
Sarah Brown Cooper steps into the lead role as Robyn, while Kirsty and Tony Strachan join the cast along with the returning Ross Forbes-Mackenzie who was nominated for ‘best secondary lead’ in the UK Pantomime Association Awards, and director Suzi Budd.
The story will have a strong Kirkcaldy theme to it as Sherwood Forest becomes Ravenscraig Park.
A spokesperson for the trustees said: “Audiences from Kirkcaldy and beyond can look forward to being entertained by the same highly talented writers, performers, support staff, and volunteers as usual, but in a temporary venue for this year. We ask everyone to continue supporting King’s Theatre, the pantomime, and Linton Lane Centre by purchasing tickets when they go on sale later this month.”
The decision to change of venue means the cast and team behind the scenes can plan ahead without concerns over any impact the demolition of the cinema may cause.
A contract to carry out that work has yet to be awarded, but there are expectations initial works could begin before the end of the year.
The spokesperson added: “Following many years of dedicated work to save the former ABC Cinema, it has become clear - supported by professional advice from engineers and other specialists - that the building is beyond feasible restoration. It is inherently unsafe and will require demolition. This is heartbreaking for everyone involved with King’s Theatre and represents a real loss for the town of Kirkcaldy.
“Over the years, the charity has developed the King’s Theatre arts and performance facility at No. 9 Esplanade, the former YMCA building, into a thriving arts venue, cinema, theatre, café and bar, and the home of our award-winning pantomime.
“However, the proposed necessary demolition works and other safety improvements affecting King’s Theatre and the adjoining building mean that we cannot safely host the pantomime in our own venue this year. We are therefore pleased to be working in a unique and exciting partnership with Linton Lane Centre to ensure the show can still go on.”
It comes as the former ABC Cinema was one of four venues across the UK removed from the annual ‘at risk’ register compiled by the Theatres Trust.
The organisation’s annual report reported that the boarded up cinema had “deteriorated significantly” and said: “There is no longer the same level of local support or demand for it to be returned to theatre use as there was when it was first added to the register, with local audiences much better catered for by the recently renovated Adam Smith Theatre and the smaller Kings Theatre Kirkcaldy.”
Demolition has long been the only realistic proposition for the cinema which shut in 2000.