Gary: Tank Commander will headline this year’s His Majesty’s Theatre pantomime, Aberdeen Performing Arts and pantomime producer Crossroads Pantomimes have announced today.
Gary will star as Gary Barnum, son of circus owner Dame Betty Barnum, played by Aberdeen panto favourite Alan McHugh. And, completing a casting announcement that’s just right,
Paul J Corrigan will star as Daddy Bear.
Aberdeen Performing Arts Chief Executive, Sharon Burgess, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Gary:Tank Commander back to HMT this panto season. He is up there with the most popular panto stars we have ever had here in Aberdeen, and to have our beloved panto pals Alan McHugh and Paul J Corrigan back to help him entertain the troops is a dream cast.
“We can’t wait for everyone to come along and join in the fun!”
Goldilocks and the Three Bears is produced by the world’s biggest pantomime producer Crossroads Pantomimes whose Chief Executive Michael Harrison said: “I’m absolutely delighted that we’re able to welcome Gary: Tank Commander back to our Aberdeen panto this year. He was a huge hit with audiences in Jack and the Beanstalk and Sleeping Beauty, and we know he’ll have His Majesty’s Theatre standing to attention once again.
"Of course, our Aberdeen panto wouldn’t be complete without the ever popular pairing of Alan McHugh and Paul J Corrigan, who are such an integral part of Aberdeen’s panto tradition.”
Gary: Tank Commander, portrayed by Greg McHugh, is the lovable, straight-talking soldier at the heart of the Scottish BAFTA-winning comedy series which Greg also co-wrote. The lovable and ever-optimistic Gary became a cult favourite across Scotland and beyond. Gary returns to panto in Aberdeen by popular demand following acclaimed appearances as Gary Trot in Jack and the Beanstalk and as himself in Sleeping Beauty.
Actor Greg McHugh is also widely recognised for playing the socially awkward Howard in the hit series Fresh Meat, and his numerous other television credits include Guilt, Marvellous, Dates and BBC One’s The A Word. Greg can also be seen in the very successful BBC Scotland sitcom Only Child alongside Gregor Fisher. The much-loved sitcom has been commissioned for a second series which will be broadcast later this year.
Alan McHugh returns to his adopted hometown of Aberdeen to play dame for the 22nd consecutive year, having first joined the HMT panto team in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 2004. Alongside his celebrated panto performances, Alan has appeared with Scotland’s leading theatre companies including the National Theatre of Scotland, the Citizens, the Traverse, the Royal Lyceum, the Tron and Dundee Rep, and his extensive television credits include Outlander, double BAFTA Award-winning Limmy’s Show, Taggart, River City, Scot Squad, Two Doors Down, Rab C. Nesbitt and Still Game. A prolific writer as well as performer, Alan will once again write and direct this year’s panto, bringing the heart and Scottish humour HMT audiences have grown to love.
Paul J Corrigan returns for a seventh consecutive year, having become a firm favourite with Aberdeen audiences through a string of standout pantos, most recently playing Buttons in Cinderella and before that Pat the Cow in Jack and the Beanstalk. Paul is well known to television viewers for playing Stevie Burns in the BBC’s River City, Gaz in the much-loved Still Game and Adam in the hit comedy Gary: Tank Commander. His theatre work includes Tally’s Blood at Perth Theatre, which toured Scotland, the West Yorkshire Playhouse production of Sunshine on Leith on UK tour, and the acclaimed Black Watch, which he performed internationally with the National Theatre of Scotland.
For five weeks only, His Majesty’s Theatre will transform into a sensational circus packed with riotous comedy, extraordinary special effects, hair-raising stunts, and circus acts where anything could (and will) happen.
Roll up, roll up to see panto join the circus, and be swept away by a pantomime spectacular that’s just right!
Further casting to be announced.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears plays at His Majesty’s Theatre from Saturday 28 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. Tickets are available now from www.aberdeenperformingarts.com