Alan McHugh’s CV doesn’t have as many parts as an Ikea store, but it’s a lot easier to understand and isn’t anything like as wooden.
If you appreciate that line, the chances are you’ll be familiar with the range of this versatile Scot, who has appeared in everything from Tutti Frutti and Take The High Road to Sunset Song and The Silver Darlings – and who once filmed a Heinz advert where he just about prevailed against the might of the Highland midge.
In Aberdeen, Alan is synonymous with the annual Christmas pantomime and, in his hands, it’s much more than old chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Because, almost every month of the year, as soon as one show has finished, he is scanning the news, feverishly writing scripts, learning lines and bringing new works to fruition.
And, if you’re a devotee of these annual shows in the Granite City, he’s right behind you.
Oh yes, he is.
It doesn’t matter how many productions he has graced, his sights are always set on the next one: The Adventures of Peter Pan at HMT, which premieres on December 3.
Alan said: “The thrill will kick in on opening night. At the moment, it’s all about the anticipation, which is enormous. In many ways, the whole year builds towards panto season. I write over 20 scripts every year for various venues the length and breadth of the UK – a process I begin in January and which continues until the end of October.
“The thrill will be even greater this year, following 2020 when we didn’t have a show at all, and in 2021, when we had to cut the run short due to the pandemic.
“We’re all hoping for a Covid-free experience this year, and that we and the audiences can make it to the end of the run in one piece. Covid is still with us, but it’s good to realise that this is a sign that things are definitely on the way back to ‘normality’.”
The stars all bring their own twinkle
Alan loves the theatre and being involved in the camaraderie and collaborative spirit of these shows for children of all ages. Throughout his career, he has been the rock around which many guests have delighted crowds and relishes the annual challenge.
He said: “All the star names we’ve had have brought something individual and special to the show. It was a joy and a great learning experience to be able to write for so many stars over the years, and tailor the show to their particular talents.
“Elaine C Smith came for one year and stayed for eight, which is a testament to how much she loved the HMT experience and audiences, and how much they loved her. Elaine is an all-round actor, singer and comedian which meant I was spoiled for choice with what we could do with her, and she brought so many of her own ideas and so much of her own personality to the table.
“With Laura Main, we had great fun referencing her role in Call The Midwife, and despite playing the magical Fairy Godmother and Sorceress roles, Laura was desperate to be involved in the fun and nonsense, which allowed me to write her into comedy and slapstick routines which gave those normally more serious roles a new slant.
“And Laura – for such a wee lassie – has got a voice which could (and did!) take the HMT roof off. This allowed us to choose the biggest and best songs to make the most of her voice. And what Laura also brought to the panto was the return of a local quine to her native city, which allows us to localise it as much as possible.
“Other star names we’ve had in recent years who were joys to work with are the likes of
Jimmy Osmond and Lee Mead. Both are the loveliest guys you could ever hope to meet and work with, and both were delighted to have their personal and professional personas sent up for the sake of some laughs.
“It’s always great fun to involve non-Scots in locally flavoured routines, where the audience can witness these huge showbiz names trying and failing to master the Doric – which only endeared them to the crowds even more.”
It’s comforting that, despite all the TV streaming services and increasingly elaborate computer games, a festive pantomime still seems to attract big numbers. But why? What are the ingredients which ensure mirth and merriment for those on the sidelines?
Alan said: “One of the main reasons that panto commands such huge audiences is due to its tradition. It should be a celebration of its local community – and I mean both the locale and its population in the definition of community.
“Panto also provides a release and respite from the realities of the world. As for the period when theatres were closed due to the pandemic, it was a tough time – not just for me personally and my profession, but for everyone.
“I was involved in many online acting projects, but sitting in front of a laptop, trying to create a piece of theatre courtesy of the cold and clinical world of Zoom, with no audience reaction whatsoever, was no substitute for the real human experience of performing to a live audience. I never want to go through that again”.
These heartfelt words testify to the striking connection which Alan has formed with those watching in the stalls. But his career includes all manner of diverse roles and eclectic employment and has transported him to almost every corner of the globe.
He told me: “I’ve been very fortunate that the jobs I’ve had have all been so good to work on, whether it’s theatre, radio, TV or film – and each brings its own different rewards and learning experiences. And my job has taken me all over the world – from performing in Berlin to Washington and Shanghai.
“What I’ve also loved doing is being able to play music as part of a show. I can play several instruments, which has got me employed on jobs such as Sunset Song, Three Steps To Heaven, Tutti Frutti and If You’re Feeling Sinister.
“The hardest job was an advert I did for Heinz Soup a few years ago. We were filming near Loch Lomond and I had to remain as still as possible and not react as the entire midgie population of Scotland descended on me and bit me to pieces.”
Alan laughs that off. He can do the same with almost anything. But you sense that he truly, madly, deeply missed the frisson of live entertainment during the pandemic.
And now, he’s looking forward to another awfully big adventure.
Further information about the 2022 panto is available at: www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on/peter-pan
FIVE QUESTIONS FOR ALAN McHUGH
- What book are you reading? “Closing Time by Joseph Heller.”
- Who’s your hero/heroine? “The NHS”.
- Do you speak a foreign language? “I’ve been teaching myself Italian for a few years, and can get by not too badly.”
- What’s your favourite band or music? “Elvis Costello.”
- What’s your most treasured possession? “My old pre-digital photograph albums.”
Conversation