Review: Mary Doll Poppins | Òran Mór Winter Pantomime
- Lisa in the theatre
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
Òran Mór's lunchtime adult pantomime is back with Mary Doll Poppins, written and directed by Martin McCormick. The madcap panto from the creative minds behind the world-famous A Play, A Pie and A Pint is performing two shows a day, mosts day from Tuesday 25th November to Sunday 4th January. Read my review of Mary Doll Poppins below!
Mary Doll Poppins Òran Mór Winter Pantomime ★★★★☆
Review: 28 November 2025, Òran Mór, Glasgow
Never in their wildest imaginations could P.L. Travers (novel) or Walt Disney (film) perceive that their mild-mannered, magical nanny Mary Poppins would one day be the focus of a pantomime in a basement full of pie-eating, pint-swilling patrons on Glasgow's Byres Road. For in Mary Doll Poppins, the creative team behind A Play, A Pie and A Pint, and writer / director Martin McCormick have reimagined Mary as a loud, wind-breaking, Buckfast drinking, foul-mouthed, gallus Glaswegian gal.
With more than a twist on the original beloved story, in Òran Mór's winter pantomime we meet Harris and Karris Clydebank (Karen Fishwick and Louise Haggerty); two young mobile phone obsessed siblings from Glasgow who upload a Tik Tok video pleading for a nanny who will sort out their not-so-perfect family life, and who will, just perhaps, take them on magical adventures to some exotic places... like the southside of Glasgow.
When Mary Doll Poppins (Neil John Gibson) arrives, she's horrified to find that the Clydebank's mum and dad (Carmen Pieraccini) are distracted by crypto-trading and public protesting, and have little time for their kids. So Mary whisks Harris and Karris off on some music-filled adventures and, in her own, magical, mystical way, teaches them how to have fun without phones and in the real meaning of Christmas.
An unapologetically Glaswegian panto that's like a deranged CBeebies episode for adults
In this riotous retelling of the Mary Poppins stories, McCormick deftly takes the well-known characters and scenes from the iconic books and Disney film and tweaks them just enough to avoid any copyright infringements. Probably.
Part of the joy of this pantomime is experiencing the brilliant songs and the unexpected Glasgow references, so I don't want to give too much away. But some sublime examples are rather than "Just a spoonful of sugar" this nanny sings about "Just a mouthful of Bucky" - and rather than spending their pocket money on bird food at tuppence a bag, Harris wants to spend his tuppence on sports socks from the Barras.
The visual and vocal jokes come fast and often: McCormick's panto is packed with super-sharp dialogue, mischief and genuinely banging songs. It also has the traditional panto hi-jinks and audience interaction including callbacks and the all-important sing-along. Mary Doll Poppins is so, so silly - but it's well-structured and expertly presented silliness that gives the audience just what they want. The atmosphere in Òran Mór was electric.
Heather Grace Currie's sets and costumes are bursting with colour and sparkles. This is as in-your-face as it gets - even at panto time. Bright and boisterous, and with the hardworking cast of five full of energy and zeal, this is an unapologetically Glaswegian panto that's like a deranged CBeebies programme for adults.
The cast are a joy
As the most budget of budget friendly pantos, the winter pantomime at Òran Mór can't compete with some of the bigger theatres around Glasgow in terms of sets, special effects or legions of glittering dancers. But what it does have is a creative team and cast determined to entertain the lunchtime crowd with boundless energy, spirit and heart.
Neil John Gibson's Mary Doll is a fantastic creation. Every Scottish kid would want her as a nanny! But with her hard drinking and frequent F-bombs, perhaps the parents wouldn't be so keen. Her kindness and good intentions shine through, but she's definitely not Julie Andrews. Carmen Pieraccini plays the dual roles of both Mr and Mrs Clydebank with hilarious repercussions. Her obnoxious dad character, Atholl is magnificent. Katya Searle plays a number of roles well, including a recurring Dick Van Dyke-esue cockney chimney sweep whom no one can understand.
But it's Karen Fishwick's Harris and Louise Haggerty's Karriss that I warmed to the most. I fear their 'not at all annoying' clipped pronunciation of the word 'daddy' may never leave my brain. With their ingenious jingle and earnest, wide-eyed gazes, they make for believable, sprightly children whom Mary takes under her wing. A joy!
Mary Doll Poppins is so much fun. The whole run at Òran Mór has sold out, but if you have managed to secure a ticket, strap in for a riotous festive ride! You're in for a surreal treat. ★★★★☆
Mary Doll Poppins plays at Òran Mór, Glasgow until Sunday 4th January. It has sold out, but you can check with the Box Office for returns and daily availability.
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
Mary Doll Poppins: Òran Mór Winter Panto 2025 cast
Find out more about the Mary Doll Poppins cast here:
Mary Doll Poppins: Òran Mór Winter Panto 2025
Òran Mór, Glasgow
Tue 25 November 2025 – Sunday 4 January 2026
12pm & 2pm (2pm only on Tue 25 Nov)
£26 (plus booking fees), including food and drink
Runtime: 60 minutes
For tickets and more info, please visit www.oran-mor.co.uk or call Box Office on 0141 367 6200
As per tradition, all tickets include a pie (or vegan sausage roll) and a pint, making it one of the best-value experiences this winter in Glasgow.
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