Think festive theatre exclusively entails going to the panto? Oh no it doesn’t!

For those of us who want to escape the shrieks and screams of a trip to a traditional pantomime, there’s plenty of alternative shows to enjoy across Scotland this festive season. Here’s some of our favourites…

Treasure Island at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh

28 November – 4 January

Treasure Island is one of the most iconic stories penned by iconic Edinburgh writer Robert Louis Stevenson. But rather than heading for tropical climes, this adaptation makes it even more Scottish, with Jim Hawkins setting sail from Edinburgh and ending up in the Orkney Islands in search of Captain Flint’s hidden fortune. It’s also been given a nice festive twist, being set on a cold Christmas Eve where Jim recounts his seafaring adventures. It’s a fun, playful new adaption that has been created by Orkney playwright Duncan McLean, directed by Lyceum favourite Wils Wilson and featuring songs from Tim Dalling.

Tickets from £18

The Sound of Music at Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Perthshire

15 November – 22 December

Everyone knows the story; everyone knows the songs… and most of us will end up watching The Sound of Music at some point over the festive period when it’s inevitably shown on TV. So why not go and see it in person? This performance, at the charming Pitlochry Festival Theatre, is the perfect family-friendly show for those that don’t fancy the pantomime. Olivier-nominated Kirsty Findlay takes the lead role of Maria, fresh from an acclaimed star turn in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. She is joined by a talented troupe of youngsters to play the von Trapp children, as well as Ali Watt as Georg von Trapp and Christian Edwards as Max Detweiler.

Tickets from £15

(Image: Pitlochry Festival Theatre)

Oor Wullie The Musical at Dundee Rep

23 November- 30 December

Few things scream ‘Scotland’ more than Oor Wullie. He might be 85 years old (technically), but Wullie and his trusty bucket are still getting up to plenty of mischief in this musical outing, alongside Boab, Wee Eck and the gang. This show is a new and improved version of the one that toured in 2019 to rave reviews, including a four-star write up in The Guardian, but with extra songs and a reworked storyline. As Wullie would say: Jings! Crivvens! Help Ma Boab!

Tickets from £15

(Image: Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat)

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Edinburgh Playhouse

3 December- 29 December

Packed to the brim with singalong hits, this show should be popular with the whole family. And while youngsters might not know who he is, there is a sprinkling of celebrity star power from none other than Donny Osmond, playing the Pharoah. With iconic songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber, this multi award-winning show has been performed hundreds of thousands of times including multiple runs in the West End. This version is making its debut in Edinburgh, making a nice change from theatre shows that start in London and subsequently make their way north. Don’t miss the bragging rights of being one of the first to see it…

Tickets from £37

A Play, Pie and a Pint (Weans in the Woodlands) at Òran Mór, Glasgow

26 November- 5 January

This is panto, but not as you know it. With rude humour throughout, this is a show firmly aimed at an adult audience, with plenty of in-jokes for a Glasgow crowd. The 2024 outing sees Carlotta Kelvinbridge and her pal Shuggy (expect plenty of jibes about snobby west enders) being thwarted by Lady Titania of Townhead who wants to get rid of all the local children. The show lasts less than an hour, and with a pint and a pie on arrival, it’s the perfect lunchtime activity to fill the downtime between the Christmas and New Year period. Be warned though, tickets sell out fast.

Tickets are £23.50 (including a drink and a pie)