Written by Andy McGregor

It’s that time again folks, the merriest and most cheerful time of goodwill among all: a time of song, gifts, and meals plenty.

That’s right – it’s a Summer Panto.

So, ditch the heat, hunker down with a pie and a pint, and let Òran Mór take you away from the harsh realities of life for an hour of brilliantly obscene comedy and theatre which deserves to be seen outside of any yuletide season. Remember folks, Panto isn’t just for Christmas, just mind to feed and walk it.

And what wondrous delight do we have served to us this Summer in Glasgow? Well, it’s none other than Andy McGregor’s take on that adventurous scamp with the bean-stalk, with Jack and the Bean Pie, bringing in the long-running and world-famous Play, Pie & A Pint. Every year, the quaint hovel of Sprout-Town-Upon-Brie hosts their famous ‘Best Pie’ award at the summer festival. And every year, that miserable Farmer Frank walks away with the prize. But this year, he hasn’t got hope in hell.

This year, with their brand-new Bean Pie, Jack McKack is determined to prove the world, and the Farmer Frank wrong, and that they’re so much more to the world than a girl with a lad’s name. Through a series of tricks, musical numbers, ad-libs and showdowns, Jack and the Bean Pie takes the fairytale of old, rips it up, wipes up its mess with it, and staples it all back together with plenty of gags and laughs to keep the audience going all the way until the next Panto season.

We’re not sure what crime Scotland did to deserve Richard Conlon, but we’re thankful for it. As Farmer Frank, a rural bumpkin crossed with Geoffrey Rush’s pirate Captain Barbossa, their shuffled walks, frequent irritations at the stage exits, and devil-may-care attitude to the entire spirit of Panto make this a terrifically engaging, humorous, and unique performance.

One week writing a Play, Pie & Pint classic, the next week a starring role – Rachel Flynn really is an absolute treasure and bright future for the industry. Rolling with the punches and jabs from Fraser Boyle’s (well-deserved) diva-antics, and the leering gaze of a few unwanted men, Flynn brings their usual panto-panache to the show with gusto but isn’t afraid to rut around in the muck as equally as the rest. Though in terms of choreography, she really is striking out beyond expectations for the show.

Between Frank and a certain famous singer, there’s a revoltingly antagonistic side to the show, though, in this fairytale, no one is really that good of a person… Lustful, gassy, egotistical: words which could describe any of this motley crew, specifically for the lecherous advances from Rebekah Lumsden’s Farty Pellow. Sideslipping funny, both physically and in delivery, Lumsden is at ease holding the audience as she is sharing the stage. But we’ll say this – those hips are lethal.

What else is lethal is getting on the wrong side of Boyle’s Panto Dame for this year’s Summer performance. Channelling McGregor’s writing to the letter, and doing whatever the hell they want otherwise, Boyle has full ownership of the stage as they strut, pout, and powerhouse their way into the hearts of everyone in the building. From hilarious duo acts with Flynn and Conlon to the outright abuse and bullying of David McKnight’s multiple roles, there’s a reason Boyle is one of the nation’s most popular Dames. And no, it’s not all of those threats.

Look, if you’ve not had a swatch of Jack’s pie by now, then get to Òran Mór for the festive summer treat of the season. It’s filthy, it’s ridiculous, and at times, yes, nonsensical and kitschy as hell. But it is every bit the fun and talent you expect from the more traditional end-of-year treat. Go on, it’s been a tough year, treat yerself.