At the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh, Christmas arrives early with She’s Behind You, a pantomime that blends traditional songs, sweets, and audience interaction with a deeply personal story. Creator Johnny McKnight, hailed as Scotland's finest panto proponent, brings his iconic dame Dorothy Blawna-Gale to the stage in a blue gingham frock and towering wig, delivering sharp-tongued humour and lovable bawdiness.
The show, directed by John Tiffany, originated from a lecture at the University of Glasgow honouring the late academic Alasdair Cameron, a champion of popular theatre. It celebrates panto's radical potential while educating audiences on its subversive history. McKnight shares his journey from his first panto experience at the Ayr Gaiety, where he realised 'You don’t just see panto; panto sees you,' to his early acting roles hiding behind comic characters.
In 2006, McKnight played his first dame but felt constrained by tradition's tired assumptions and dated jokes. Determined to reclaim panto's anarchic spirit, he upended cliches, corrected gender balance, and acknowledged his own sexuality. By 2018, his production Mammy Goose featured two male romantic leads, met with audience enthusiasm for more inclusive storytelling.
Throughout, McKnight faced sectarianism, homophobia, and ethical challenges but adhered to principles of punching up, thoughtful choices, and representing the marginalised. The result is a hilarious, soulful show that makes panto his own—oh yes he did.
