Aberdeen Arts Centre’s hospitality manager will be swapping smart three-piece suits for sparkly high heels and makeup as he raises funds for the beloved city-centre venue.
James Welsh is embarking on a sponsored ‘Dame-a-thon’ on National Panto Day – Saturday, December 13 – to raise funds for the Save Aberdeen Arts Centre campaign.
Throughout the day, James will be decked out in a full panto dame costume as he manages both the matinee and evening performances of the Centre’s popular panto, Robin Hood. His ‘dame name’ will be revealed on the day.
Donations can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/page/james-welsh-dame
James said: “I had been joking about doing something like this for a while… and little did I know, one of my colleagues got in touch with our panto partners, TaleGate Theatre Productions, and arranged for them to provide me a costume. There was no backing out after that!
“I found a pair of sparkly high heels in our costume store and have been practising with them around the office in preparation for the big day! I’ve been getting tips from our resident panto dame, Philip Napier, who has also promised to help me with my make-up on the day.
“It’s going to be great to put a big smile on people’s faces when they arrive for the panto, and raise vital funds for Aberdeen Arts Centre as well.”
With fellow Arts Centre staff and volunteers dressing up in solidarity – and the public encouraged to get festive and join in the fun, too – James’s fundraising challenge will add an extra element of panto fun for audience members on December 13.
Hospitality manager James Welsh will be transformed into a panto dame to raise funds for the Save Aberdeen Arts Centre campaign.
Aberdeen Arts Centre fundraising manager Julia Smith added: “We’ve been blown away by the creative ways people have been fundraising for the Save Aberdeen Arts Centre campaign since we launched it in May, and James’s challenge is another example of that.
“I can’t wait to see him decked out in his full panto dame clobber and raising a smile while also raising money for the Arts Centre.”
Aberdeen Arts Centre’s pantomime, Robin Hood, runs from 29 November to 24 December. To join in the fun, tickets are available from https://www.aberdeenartscentre.com/whats-on/robin-hood.
Aberdeen Arts Centre is an independent arts venue in the heart of Aberdeen, operated by registered charity Castlegate Arts Ltd for over a quarter of a century.
For more than 60 years, Aberdeen Arts Centre has played a crucial role in the north east’s vibrant arts scene through its programme of performances, Creative Learning Programme for children and adults, and an Artist Development Programme to support local professional creatives.
In May 2025, the centre launched the Save Aberdeen Arts Centre campaign – a three-year fundraising drive to raise £660,000 to secure its future. The campaign has raised over £136,000 so far. Individuals and corporate sponsors can find out more and donate at https://www.aberdeenartscentre.com/save-aberdeen-arts-centre.
Aberdeen Arts Centre encompasses a 350-seater auditorium; café bar; flexible spaces for performances, events, exhibitions and meetings; and the Children’s Theatre, opened by Catherine Hollingworth in the 1950s as a pioneering youth theatre (the first of its kind in the UK) and now used as a vital resource for professional artist development.
For more information, visit www.aberdeenartscentre.com or follow Aberdeen Arts Centre on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @AberdeenArtsCentre.