ANOTHER year, another fantastically entertaining pantomime at Alloa Academy.

For the fourth year in a row, parents as well as children from the academy and nearby primary schools were treated to an original production to get everyone into the festive spirit.

Under the guidance of Mr Jamie Jack, the principal teacher of the creative and aesthetic subjects faculty who has been instrumental in making sure the young people put on stage Christmas shows in the past few years, the pupils perfected a production of Peter Pants and The Muted Mermaid.

It all came off the back of the success of the past three years and the dedication of students, colleagues in the school as well as parents was evident once again.

Mr Jack started writing the script almost immediately after last year’s festivities and the hilarious adventure did not disappoint.

He worked with the largest cast and backstage crew yet and got audiences booing and hissing as they travelled to Forever Land where underwater worlds meet enchantment and magic.

The show, running over two days and nights, brought the wider school community together with Mr Jack paying tribute to the hard work of all involved.

He said: “I am so impressed with the dedication our students have shown to bringing this production to life.

“They are all fantastic and I am so proud of them.

“We had amazing performances from Carly Moultrie (Ella Seaweed – The Little Mermaid), Ben Johnson (Peter Pants), Cameron Graham (Crystal Aqua Pearl – The Underwater Psychic to Sir King Seaweed), Amy McCandlish (Ursula Ugly – The Sea Witch), Jessica Benning (Wendy Whimsical Darling), and Tom Kay (Crimson the Charismatic Crab).

“The rest of the cast and crew should be delighted with themselves also. So much so that we are planning for the 2020 pantomime production of 'Little Red and the enchanted Red Rose'.”

Feedback has been rather positive and the audiences could not get enough.

Mr Jack, who was particularly happy to bring children in from local primaries to see the show, added: “It has been great to see primaries jumping up and down and interacting with the characters and one little boy from Park Primary (Kieran) will never forget Crystal Aqua Pearl.”

Hats off to S4’s Jamie Smith for his effort in selling tickets and supporting behind the scenes, including photography as well as former pupils Erin Wick, for photography, and Aleah Alexander for support during rehearsals.

Thanks go also to sponsors Indigo Sun, Stirling Valet Service, Margaret Jack, Lochay Homes, and Alloa Academy Parent Council.

The teacher also wanted to paid tributes to colleagues Mrs Fiona Young and Mr Aaron Calder for music and sound, Mr Nick Clark for sound and lighting, Mrs Sandra Shepherd for help at rehearsals, Mrs Maria D’Arcy for helping backstage, Mr Leon Collins for the set and parent Lyndsey Graham for costumes.