![L-R: Johnny Mac as Muddles, Blythe Jandoo as Snow White, Elaine C. Smith as Nurse Bella, Liz Ewing as Queen Cranachan [Pictures by Robert Perry] <i>(Image: Robert Perry)</i>](/resources/images/17277172.jpg?type=mds-article-962)
LEGENDARY actress Elaine C. Smith says she feels "very privileged" to be a part of Glasgow's panto scene.
The Rab C. Nesbitt star will be treading the boads at the King's Theatre this festive season in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs alongside Johnny Mac who stars as muddles.
They will be joined on stage by stars including Blythe Jandoo (Snow White), Liz Ewing (Queen Cranachan) and Darren Brownlie (Man in the Mirror).
As she gets ready to star in her 25th panto in 30 years, Elaine says she "can’t believe" it’s almost panto season again.
She said: "You still think I've got ages and then suddenly you're here and dressed as a nurse standing outside for the photographers.
"So yeah, it's bizarre that we're back here at this point. It’s wonderful though."
Elaine and Johnny both started developing ideas for this year’s panto while starring in last year’s production of Beauty and the Beast.
The character of Nurse Bella Houston, who raises Snow White after the King’s death, was created for the panto with her son Muddles who is Snow White’s best friend.
Elaine, who is also known for her role in Two Doors Down, says it’s important to make the story relevant to the local audience.
She said: "If you’re reading the classic Snow White story that’s not in there.
"You’ve still got ‘mirror mirror on the wall’ and the Seven Dwarfs, you’ve got the magical elements in it but as soon as I knew I was a nurse I thought ‘my name has got to be Bella Houston’.
"Those local references are really really important."
Elaine says while doing panto is hard work, she is proud to be part of something that brings together so many generations each festive season.
She explained: "Over the years, I’ve felt very privileged to be part of something that is now the fabric of the city.
"When my kids were young it was more exhausting, and I don’t feel that anymore.
"Not that I don’t get tired, but I have Johnny and Darren who are fantastic to work with and you become a bit more humble as you get older and you just think ‘how lucky am I at 65 to still be doing this?’
"You become a part of people’s Christmas and those traditions.
"My daughters and my sisters, my nieces and nephews and my granddaughter all come on Christmas Eve."
She continued: "With a Glasgow audience, 90% come in wanting to love it.
"They applaud the curtains and the band, they’re excited and want to enjoy it."
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be at the King’s Theatre from Saturday, December 2 until Sunday, January 7.
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