EASTWOOD THEATRE TO PRESENT ACTION-PACKED PANTO ALADDIN
Eastwood Theatre has announced the cast of their action-packed production of Aladdin this festive season.
Taking to the stage from 26 November 2026, the cast from Spillers Pantomimes will present sixty-five performances. This year, for the first time, the panto will continue into the new year, until 3 January 2027.
Award-winning actor Joey Locke, from Edinburgh, will take the title role of Aladdin. Joey trained for three years at Edinburgh College’s Granton Campus. With a string of short film and music credits to his name, Joey won best actor as part of the 48 Hour Film Project.
Joey said: “I’m super excited to perform in my first pantomime as Aladdin. When I was younger, I went to panto every year and now I get to be part of bringing that magic to the stage. Panto brings everyone together and gets us all excited for the holiday season.”
Musical theatre performer, Jennifer Winter, will swap her Miss Edinburgh crown to become a panto princess this year, as she plays the role of Jasmine. Jen, who’s originally from Motherwell and also works as a presenter and model, was crowned Miss Edinburgh last year and was also named First Runner-Up at the 80th anniversary Miss Great Britain Final held in Leicester.
Jen said: “I’ve performed in a lot of pantos in my time and Aladdin is a firm favourite. I love being Princess Jasmine and adapting her to be quite sassy and fun, with lots of energy! She loves Aladdin, but she can also hold her own.
“Panto is the best time of year. I love it because everyone’s in such high spirits, it’s Christmas time and the vibes are high! I love coming onto the stage and seeing all the excited kids and families in the audience. I can’t wait for a good singsong at Eastwood Theatre!”
Kamen Brown will return to Eastwood Theatre to perform in this year’s panto as Wishee Washee, having played the role of Buttons in Cinderella last year. Kamen, from West Lothian, studied musical theatre at college and has performed on cruise ships, as an Elvis Presley tribute and in a variety of different pantos as “a dancer, comic, and the back end of a cow.”
John McGlone will play panto villain, Abanazer, in Aladdin. Originally from the east end of Glasgow, John is an established actor, producer and director who has performed in numerous shows and pantos, including the Wizard of Oz, Jack and the Beanstalk and Cinderella.
John will be joined on stage by experienced panto writer, performer and director, Roy McGregor. Roy and John previously performed together in Cinderella and the duo were nominated as Best Sisters in the UK Panto Awards. This year, Roy will play Aladdin’s mum, Widow Twankey.
Katie MacFarlane is returning to Eastwood Theatre this year as dance captain for a second panto season and will also play Slave of the Ring. Katie, from Motherwell, has been dancing since she was two years old and trained at JazzArt UK. Katie will work with a group of twelve local juvenile dancers, selected from over one hundred performers who applied to appear in this year’s show.
Kieran Gray, from Bridge of Weir, will take on the role of Sergeant Fuzz in this year’s panto production. Kieran has performed in several pantos, including Mother Goose and Puss in Boots.
Alex Robertson will play the role of Grand Vizier. Alex, who started performing in theatre at the age of nine with a theatre company in Paisley, has a long list of panto and TV credits to his name, including performing as a housing officer in Still Game.
The cast has already gathered for the panto’s first script read through at Eastwood Theatre, ahead of opening on 26 November.
Anthony McReavy, Enjoy East Ren’s Chief Executive, said: “Our panto productions at Eastwood Theatre have gone from strength to strength in recent years and we’re proud to be part of our community’s festive traditions. Last year, we welcomed over 20,000 visitors to a series of sell-out Cinderella shows.
“We look forward to continuing this success in 2026 and to bringing families together to soak up the magic this festive season.”
Relaxed and British Sign Language Interpreted performances are available.
Tickets are available now: www.enjoyeastren.org/events/Aladdin.
Pictures by Mark Gibson
