Tucked beneath the gothic marvel that is the infamous Òran Mór (top of Byres Road, just across from the Botanical Gardens) is the West End’s most special theatre venue—it certainly is ‘mor’ than just a pub! Óran Mòr is home to the infamous theatre series, A Play, a Pie and a Pint. Except, this Christmas, the play wasn’t just any old production—because it’s panto season!
Pantomimes are the seemingly age-old British tradition for Christmas time. We’ve all been to one at some point, and have likely shouted something like “it’s behind you!” or “oh no we don’t!”. Pantomimes and their strange little traditions are something that non-Brits might find odd, but the entertainment that they provide is endless.
Weans in the Woods is Óran Mòr’s current production, written and directed by Martin McCormick. Set right in the heart of the West End, and featuring more than one gag about University of Glasgow students, the pantomime is an original fantasy-adventure that is delightfully reminiscent of the ones we all saw growing up—only there’s more swearing! The play featured a rag-tag team of heroes, who set off on an adventure through Kelvingrove Park to save the children of the West End from a curse by an Evil Witch. In good panto fashion, they had everyone up and dancing, this time to a strange remix of I Need a Hero. You had to be there.
With only a cast of five actors, the group did a fantastic job of carrying the narrative and the ridiculously catchy tunes. No doubt everyone left Óran Mòr singing I’m a girl from the West End more than people left the cinema singing Defying Gravity. And, as all good pantos should be, it’s wonderfully self-aware. Of course, it isn’t really a panto if some poor audience member, regretfully sitting in the front row, doesn’t get pulled up on stage. Óran Mòr hit the nail on the head this panto season—Weans in the Woods really did have it all.
Óran Mòr features 30 new plays each year, most of which take place at lunchtime, so the experience really is the perfect way to break up a day of lectures. Tickets to their usual productions for the series A Play, A Pie and a Pint also include (as the same suggests) a pie and a pint in the ticket price. Is there any excuse not to go when lunch is included?
And if you missed the panto this Christmas, then don’t you worry! A Play, A Pie and A Pint is coming back to Óran Mòr this February, so be sure to keep an eye out for their new line up.