Brand new era for Kirkcaldy's annual pantomime

The 2016 festive show at the Adam Smith Theatre will come from UK’s biggest producers of pantos.

Cinderella will still have all the traditional elements audiences expect, but it won’t have Billy Mack who has been the star of the theatre’s shows for the past decade.

Instead, Imagine Theatre will raise the curtain on itsfirst venture in the Lang Toun.

It’ll be the company’s 120th panto opening across two decades of hit shows.

Written by BAFTA award winning duo of Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton - creators of hit shows such as The Tweenies – it will star Kim Shepherd who was part of the panto at the Carnegie Hall in Dunfermline last Christmas.

The panto is a huge seller for the Adam Smith, playing to near full houses almost every night.

It’s been the training ground for many stars of the future as well as a familiar home for some of the most loved names in theatre and television.

Heather Stuart, chief executive of Fife Cultural Trust, believes it’s time to begin a new chapter in that long-running festive story.

“We want to be bold and fresh in everything we do,’’ she said. “Panto is a huge tradition here , and our 2016 show is ambitious and exciting and it comes from a fantastically talented team.

“To bring the UK’s biggest pantomime company to Kirkcaldy is a coup.’’

Heather also paid tribute to Billy, star of 10 years of shows at the Adam Smith – and one of the theatre’s true panto stars.

‘‘Billy has been fantastic – a wonderful panto dame . We spoke to him about our plans, and we wish him every success with his plans.’’

The Imagine team will now take to the stage with the firm favourite, Cinderella, opening on December 10 and running through until the start of 2017.

Led by Steve and Sarah Boden, it’s a special landmark for the company too.

Sarah said: “Cinderella will be our 120th pantomime opening which is a very special milestone for us.

‘‘We are working hard behind the scenes to ensure it is magical and wonderful and stays true to the traditional tale which is universally loved and cherished.

“The pantomime will provide old traditional family entertainment in abundance with lots of slapstick fun for both young and old with some custard pies thrown in for good measure.’’

The cast will include Kim Shepherd, actress and singer, who appeared at the Carnegie Hall’s festive show in 2015, and a number of new faces.

Added Sarah: “We love what we do and we know this comes across to our audiences because last year alone 350,000 people saw one of our pantomimes across the UK, which is a fantastic achievement and one we are very proud of.”

Tickets on sale from the box office on 01592 583302.