Weans In the Wood At Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Emily

Johnny McKnight marks his 20th anniversary of panto at Macrobert Arts Centre with this year’s offering of Weans in the Wood. Not only writing and directing the panto, he also stars as the panto dame, Magic Merlina.

Although loosely based on Babes in the Wood, in typical panto style, there are plenty of detours and deviations mixed with a weird and wonderful selection of fairy tale character- let’s face it, in panto, anything goes!

McKnight’s writing is on point, sharp, witty and relevant- there is humour for all, from the youngest to the oldest audience member. The panto is quick paced, at times a little hard to keep up, but certainly not a boring second to be had.

The cast delivered an uplifting and heart warming performance, each having the opportunity to shine but there is no denying the star of the show is Johnny McKnight. He has the charisma and innate ability to relate to the audience with comic timing and ad-lib.

One of the opening numbers, Pink Pony Club really sets the tone of Magic Merlina’s costumes, always totally over the top but definite leaning to the skimpier side but carried off with aplomb.

Hansel-No-Solo and Gretel (Helen McAlpine and Kara Swinney) made a complementary duo with Helen McAlpine keeping the momentum and pace with the kids especially loving her cheeky personality.

Little Red played by Dani Heron sparked her way through the show, the cockney accent was interesting at times but what a voice.

The show is full of familiar musical numbers delivered with gusto and included some clever rewording of the lyrics. There were also lots of references to topical things like politics and the budget for the older audience and ‘6,7’ and lava chicken for the younger ones.

Donald from Clackmannanshire was the target of the night! He participated with great humour and was a good sport getting up on stage and singing with the cast in their version of One More Day from Les Misérables as the closing number of Act one.

What is particularly nice is the way the young cast are incorporated into the show and play an active role with real participation rather than a stage filler as sometimes happens. They were all fabulous and looked like they were having a ball.

The show is visually pleasing with the fairly simple woodland scenery used effectively to set the scene.
The smaller theatre creates an intimate performance. There is lots of audience participation and the cast moving around the theatre and interacting directly with the audience makes it very inclusive.

Overall, Weans in the Wood is an addictive and raucous panto that engages with the audience and hits the right notes in every sense – it will make you laugh, sing, clap and you will leave the theatre uplifted and full of Christmas cheer.

Weans in the Wood plays at the Macrobert Arts Centre until Saturday 3rd January 2026.
Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling
www.macrobertartscentre.org
26th Nov 2025 – 3rd Jan 2026
£20 – £30 plus booking fee
Rating: 4.5/5