There’s no escaping the fact that hosting a pantomime in a tent in a field in winter sounds like an audacious idea to say the least.
Head of operations at East Ayrshire Leisure Paul Mathieson admitted as much at the Gala Night of Goldilocks and the Three Bears on Saturday.
To address the elephant in the tent – the Big Top is warm enough and the toilets are better than you could expect.
Guests are welcomed through a small entranceway where popcorn and other trinkets are for sale and revellers emerge on to the arena floor with several sections labelled for the tiered seating.
The venue is visually arresting and its unique setting will certainly live long in the memory for wee ones and everyone who takes in a performance.
The show itself is of the usual high standards you’ve come to expect from the Imagine Theatre team and the core cast who have returned again.
But the wee additional extras laced throughout the show make it that bit more special from what you’d usually see at the Palace Theatre.
The cast and the three bears are regularly lapping the arena and make good use of the space
And the best addition has to be Ukrainian circus act Mumladze who truly dazzled the audience over two segments laced into the show.
Andrew Agnew is commanding and funny as the panto dame and his chemistry with Killie panto veteran Gary Morrison is clear to see. Gary constantly has the audience in the palm of his hands with his cheeky jokes and one liners.
Ailsa Erskine’s talent shines through in her stage debut and fits in seamlessly with the well-established crew as Goldilocks.
Craig McDougall takes on a different role as ringmaster but still manages to hold his own in the role.
And James McAnerney is in his element taking his heel performance into the crowd and confronting youngsters out of their seats, earning big laughs.
While the Palace pantos will return one day, the circus tent shows are a very enjoyable alternative for the festive season.
Shows are on right through to Sunday, December 29 with tickets available from East Ayrshire Leisure’s website.
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