Panto star Johnny McNight on the making of 101 Dalmatians The Musical

This year, the main panto in question is McKnight’s 2013 version of Peter Pan, set for a sparkling revival at the Tron Theatre; and as ever at the Tron, Peter Panto And The Incredible Stinkerbell will be no ordinary version of the tale, but a hilarious meta-panto packed with cheeky showbiz references and 21st century updates.

For all this riot of reinvention, though, the great Scottish panto tradition is in safe hands with McKnight, who is not only a writer and director of great pantomimes – he has written at least 20 over the last two decades – but also one of the finest panto Dames of his generation. Earlier this year, he was invited to give the prestigious Cameron Lecture at the University of Glasgow on the subject of pantomime, a task he accomplished dressed in last year’s fabulous Dorothy costume from his own Tron version of The Wizard Of Oz; and the lecture was such a roaring success that it will be given a special repeat performance in January, at the Pavilion Theatre in Glasgow.

Yet panto is not the only string to McKnight’s hugely accomplished theatrical bow. Born and brought up in working-class Ayrshire, he is also a gifted playwright and actor, famous for his use of a brilliant, eloquent modern urban Scots; and in 2022, he found himself involved in a completely new kind of project, when Scottish playwright Zinnie Harris – who had had to step back from the Covid-delayed project – suggested he write the book for a new musical based on Dodie Smith’s 1956 children’s book 101 Dalmatians, set to open that summer at the Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park, in London.

“The whole project has been a huge learning curve for me,” says McKnight, “particularly the chance to write for a UK musical production on that scale. By the time I got involved, Zinnie had done most of the heavy lifting in terms of structuring the script and characters, and I just had to write the dialogue – and no, I couldn’t use Scots at all, because I wanted whoever was cast in it at various stages, across the UK, to be able to use their own voice, to bring the show to life.

“It was completely fascinating watching the show begin to interact with an audience for the first time. We realised that the audience was a bit younger and more family-based than we’d expected, more Paddington than Matilda, if you like; and when we started to revamp the show for the UK tour, we kept those insights in mind. There are definitely elements of panto involved; and it was absolutely clear as soon as we put it in front of an audience that Cruella had to be a really hissable, boo-able villain that they could enjoy hating.”

101 Dalmatians tells the story of two dalmatians who are living happily with their loving owners, when their new brood of 15 puppies attracts the attention of Cruella de Vil, a wicked lady who craves a very special fur coat made from beautiful dalmatian skins; and Runaway Entertainment’s touring production features songs and lyrics by Douglas Hodge, with whom McKnight worked closely to ensure a good fit between dialogue and lyrics, as well as a cast of 20, and two stunning leading ladies in Faye Tozer and Kym Marsh, who alternate in the role of Cruella. Marsh will play the Aberdeen dates in Scotland, with Tozer appearing in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

“I have to say that Both Kym and Faye are absolutely terrific, they’re not only great performers in themselves, but great company members; and one thing I’ve learned on this project is just how important that is to a big touring show, to have lead performers who are absolutely committed to the show, and supportive of everyone involved.

“I’ve also had to go on a learning curve about the fantastic puppetry involved, which really requires almost the whole company to be brilliant puppeteers, as well as actors, singers and dancers.

“And another thing I’ve noticed, ” adds McKnight, “is that since the pandemic, audiences themselves seem to have changed. I sense that audiences now really want to be seen; they feel wilder, a bit more anarchic, as if they need to feel part of a collective, and to see a show which suggests that the collective can sometimes win. Panto is brilliant for that, of course, and I hope 101 Dalmatians has some of that same energy.

“What is this show saying, after all? That even if 101 dalmatians need shelter in your house, you keep your door open. That if you do, there’s always enough love to go round; and that there’s always room for more love. If that’s not a show for our time, I don’t what is; and I hope it comes through, loud and clear.”

101 Dalmatians is at His Majesty’s, Aberdeen, from 29 October until 2 November; the King’s Theatre, Glasgow, 12-16 November; and the Playhouse, Edinburgh, 19-23 November. Peter Panto and the Incredible Stinkerbell is at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow, 22 November until 5 January. Johnny McKnight on panto is at the Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow, 19 January.