You SHALL go to the ball, Ella McCulloch – and your mum and dad are going too!
Five-year-old Ella, from Cove, was winner of the Cinderella Pumpkin Hunt – a fun, family-friendly trail around the city centre during the October holidays, devised by Aberdeen Performing Arts and supported by Aberdeen Inspired.
Ella and her family successfully found secret letters at participating shops and businesses and was able to put them together to form the magical word TRANSFORMATION.
Her entry was drawn from almost 150 others to win a family ticket to the opening night of Cinderella, this year’s panto at His Majesty’s Theatre. The prize also included a £100 Aberdeen Gift Card.
Ella and her dad Stuart and mum Julie are now looking forward to the P1 pupil’s first visit to the panto at His Majesty’s.
“I had fun on the pumpkin hunt, and I enjoyed seeing all the shops decorated with pumpkins and things,” she said. “I found all the letters, but dad helped me make up the word.”
Dad Stuart said: “It was amazing when Ella’s entry won, we weren’t expecting it. The pumpkin trail was good fun, if a bit longer than we thought. It took us about two hours.
“This will be our first family outing to the panto at HMT and we are very much looking forward to it. The £100 Aberdeen Gift Card we’ll use to treat ourselves to a meal in town.”
The award-winning Aberdeen Gift Card, operated Aberdeen Inspired, is accepted at more than 300 businesses and attractions across the city, from beauty salons to restaurants, national retailers and independent shops to arts venues, such as His Majesty’s. You can find out more here.
Cinderella is on at His Majesty’s Theatre from Saturday, November 29 to Sunday, January 4, 2026.
Scottish acting royalty and Strictly winner Joe McFadden and Shetland and Monarch of the Glen star Dawn Steele will lead the cast, with Joe stepping into the role of Prince Charming and Dawn taking on the role of the Fairy Godmother.
Joe and Dawn will be joined by beloved panto dame extraordinaire Alan McHugh, who once again writes and directs the production, returning as Baroness Heifer McHardup.
HMT stalwart Paul J Corrigan makes a welcome return as Buttons, and panto favourite Danielle Jam will take on the title role as Cinderella. Returning star Julie Coombe and acclaimed performer Helen Logan will team up as the Wicked Sisters.
The show is being staged by Crossroads Pantomimes, the world’s biggest pantomime producer, led by Michael Harrison and the team that have produced the His Majesty’s Theatre panto for over 20 years, with the usual abundance of comedy, lavish sets, fabulous costumes, and of course a few surprises in store.
Packed with all the traditional pantomime ingredients Aberdeen audiences expect, Cinderella features laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses.
Tickets are on sale now, available from www.aberdeenperformingarts.com, phone (01224) 641122 or visit the box office at His Majesty’s Theatre or the Music Hall.