Review: Gallus in Weegieland | Glasgow Tron Theatre panto 2025
- Lisa in the theatre
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
The legendary Glasgow Tron panto is back this year with the Johnny McKnight penned Gallus in Weegieland. Playing at the Tron theatre now until Sunday 4 January 2026, read my review of this madcap, surreal and sublime Glaswegian pantomime below.
Gallus in Weegieland ★★★★★
Review: 21 November 2025 | Tron Theatre, Glasgow
The Tron Theatre always offers something different with their original, inventive and unmistakably Glaswegian Christmas pantos. This year Johnny McKnight's surreal take on Lewis Carroll's already surreal story of Alice in Wonderland awaits Glasgow audiences who venture into the Tron pantosphere.
Gallus in Weegieland was first staged at the Tron in 2017 but it's back refreshed and revigorated for 2025 full of McKnight's trademark razor-sharp humour, up-to-date cultural references and cutting swipes at all the other local theatres. With the brilliant Sally Reid onboard to direct a small but perfectly formed cast of terrific Scottish theatre talent, the Tron's 2025 panto is everything I want for Christmas, and more.
Alice (Jorgey Scott-Learmonth) is the worst dancer in Madame Rot's ballet class. So, when she meets an intriguing boy-rabbit (Star Penders), she decides to run away from her dance exam and instead follow him down a pothole to the mysterious Weegieland. A strange place full of strange creatures, Weegieland is ruled by the tyrannical Queenie of Hearts (Louise McCarthy.) As Alice explores the wonderful new world she finds herself in, she meets the mad Hatter the dormouse (Catriona Faint) and the clairvoyant Honey the caterpillar (Marc MacKinnon) who help her find her courage and perhaps, her true love.
Gallus in Weegieland is a panto for people who don't like panto.
Gallus in Weegieland is a panto for people who don't like panto: More like a top-notch (albeit deranged) comedy play with songs, Johnny McKnight side-steps any tired panto tropes and recycled jokes to entertain us with fresh, funny and fearless storytelling. McKnight's book is fast-paced and pleasingly structured to give us a riveting adventure, but borrows just enough from panto (there's a baddy of sorts to boo and a touch of Christmas sparkle at the end) to ensure a sprinkle of festive cheer.
Sally Reid translates Mcknight's genius admirably. Her production sizzles with energy and a constant undercurrent of volatility - there's a real feeling that anything could happen at any time, and it demands the audience's full attention from beginning to end.
Further bolstered by Ross Brown's excellent original songs and Kenny Miller's startling set and outrageous costumes, the production is entirely impressive. The unrelenting black and white stripes and squares of Miller's stage dressing did do funny things to my eyes however! There were a few times I had to look away when my vision warped for a second, but there's no denying it's on brand and impactful.
The small cast of seven in this year's Tron panto excel
The small cast of seven in this year's Tron panto excel: Jorgey Scott-Learmonth's Alice is eager and bright; she makes for an easy central character to root for. Star Penders is sensational as bouncy boy-rabbit Knavey. Star has really come into her own this year and it's exhilarating to watch this brilliant all-round performer sing, dance and act her way across centre stage in a leading role.
Catriona Faint's Hatter acts as a guide for Alice through Weegieland initially and a good part of Act I's narration falls on Faint's shoulders. One of the strongest and consistently excellent actors working on Scottish stages today, Faint's performance here is vivid and commanding. A magnificent addition to the Tron panto cast.
Known for his powerhouse singing voice and an all-too-brief turn as 'Nana the dug' in last year's Tron panto, this year Marc MacKinnon is thankfully given a much bigger role. His fabulously nonchalant 'Honey the Caterpillar' is a cross between Keith from the Office and Dame Edna Everage. An hilarious, ludicrous, divine creation, MacKinnon as Honey brutally steals every scene he's in.
In a cast bursting with outstanding talent, Louise McCarthy is simply sublime. A master of her craft, her faultless comic timing and ingenious facial expressions are delicious. She conrots her body into all manner of positions for maximum comic impact and just effortlessly radiates star-power at every turn. McCarthy is an utter legend and the only person who can rival Johnny McKnight in a role that he's written for himself.
With excellent ensemble members Aidan McColl and Jessica Donnelly backing up proceedings and adding more vocal power to the group routines, Gallus in Weegieland is exceptional! Written, designed and performed with evident love and care for the local Glasgow community and the regional theatre it was created for, it soars with originality and vitality. And at this price - for under £30 a ticket - it's an unbeatable gem of a panto in Glasgow this Christmas. My return tickets are booked. ★★★★★
MORE: Read more about the 2025 Tron panto cast here: https://www.lisainthetheatre.com/post/tron-panto-cast-2025
MORE: the best pantos to see in Glasgow this Christmas https://www.lisainthetheatre.com/post/glasgow-christmas-panto-2025
MORE: Find more Scottish panto news and reviews at: https://www.lisainthetheatre.com/panto
Gallus in Weegieland
Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, Glasgow G1 5HB
Dates: Wed 19 November 2025 to Sun 4 January 2026
Price: Previews £17, Main Run £21/£24/£28
