OH Yes! We have had a fairly good summer followed by one of the driest Septembers on record but that does not stop the Right Angle Theatre Company preparing for their annual pantomime.

Even after performing the very successful Magical of the Musicals last month the company have already started rehearsing for this year’s pantomime which this year is The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Understandably this title will not strike many chords as it is the Scottish Premiere of the show.

The show is written by Allan Frayn - a writer whom the company have used many times during their 24 year history and although the theme may be slightly different from the traditional pantomimes it is still packed full of the usual twists and turns and comedy which of course all add up to an excellent nights entertainment for all the family.

Without giving anything away there are scenes in the pantomime from all over the world including Brazil, France, Egypt and nearer home in Ireland, the reason for the travel being that a group of good guys are trying to save Christmas from the ever interfering “baddy” and for good measure Santa Claus makes a few appearances as well.

The pantomime is once again being produced by the energetic Susan Shearer with assistance from Val Smillie.

This is a job they have handled with great precision over many years and although, this new production, will give them new challenges no one in the company has any doubts the production is in good hands.

The musical director once more is Derek Calder who will play the ever popular dame as well.

Derek has compiled some great songs for the show and as you would expect, with the title, many of them having a very Christmas-like theme.

Songs such as “We Need a Little Christmas” and “Here Comes Santa Claus” mixed in with “Consider Yourself” and “Let It Go” from Frozen, the audiences are sure to leave with music in their ears and smile on their faces.

The choreography this year is in the hands of Lauren Gracie who returns to the company after a three year break.

During that three years Lauren spent some time in New Zealand where she performed in shows such as Hairspray and Phantom of the Opera.

A new innovation for the company this year is that the show will open on the Tuesday night and run for five nights rather than the normal four.

The reason behind the change is simply down to the continued demand for tickets, with the pantomimes being sold out the last two years.

The pantomime itself will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, December 9 to 13, in the Volunteer Hall, Galashiels with the curtain going up each night at 7pm.

Tickets will go on sale in early November and will be priced at £8 across the board.

They will be available from the usual outlets namely Fountain News, Iain Smith & Partners and Nobles Fish Shop.

Once again everyone is advised to book their ticket as quick as possible as demand is always very high with tickets selling fast.

The full cast for Twelve Days of Christma is as follows: Gertie - Derek Calder; Suzie - Amy Thomson; Izzy - Jodie Millar; Stampit - Gordon Keddie; Klampit - Tracy Borthwick; Wizbad - Julie Smith; Queen - Julia Noble; Prince - Emma Wilson; Fairy - Amanda Blacklock; Santa - Scott Robertson; Leprechauns - Chloe McGurk, Greg Robertson, Josh Millar; Villager - Myra Gentleman.