Aberdeen’s own River City star, Joyce Falconer, is joining the cast of His Majesty’s panto after Janey Godley withdrew from the show.
The actor, writer and performer will star in Beauty And The Beast after comedian Janey pulled out earlier this month, following controversy over her past Twitter comments.
Joyce will be joining fellow Aberdeen actors – Call The Midwife star Laura Main and CBeebies regular Danielle Jam – alongside panto favourites Alan McHugh, returning as the dame, and Paul James Corrigan.
“I’m delighted to be back doing panto and it is even more special that it is in my hometown and in a theatre very close to my heart,” said Joyce.
Bringing festive joy to Aberdeen
“It is such an institution in Aberdeen and I can’t wait to get started and help bring some festive joy to the city,” added the actor, who recently made a spectacular return to River City as the much-loved character Roisin.
She is no stranger to HMT’s panto, having starred as the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella in both 2001 and 2006. She was also a familiar face in the theatre as both a barmaid and usherette in the 1990s.
Hugely proud of her Torry roots, Joyce trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland she has worked extensively in theatre across Scotland and has also written her own works.
Doric shine to Beauty And The Beast
Aberdeen Performing Arts Chief Executive Jane Spiers said: “Joyce is a fantastic addition to our panto cast. With her trademark Aberdonian charm she will fit right in, and her natural joyful exuberance guarantees that our very own Torry quine will bring a Doric shine to the His Majesty’s Theatre stage this festive season.
“As the nights start drawing in the excitement is building for our first pantomime season in two years, and we can’t wait to bring the magic of panto back to Aberdeen.”
Janey Godley had been due to star in Beauty And The Beast but withdrew after apologising for controversial and offensive Twitter comments she had made in the past. The Scottish Government also pulled a pandemic information campaign fronted by the comedian.
Beauty And The Beast, written and directed by Alan McHugh, will have the glittering costumes, huge song and dance numbers and knockabout hilarity and all the magic that has become the trademark of His Majesty’s pantos over the year.
It will run from Saturday December 4 to January 2 and tickets are available at aberdeenperformingarts.com
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