CHRISTMAS magic is set to return to the Macrobert Arts Centre this year.

Following a two year hiatus, the cultural hub in the Forth Valley will be staging the pantomime Maw Goose, written by Johnny McKnight and directed by Julie Ellen.

It will entertain audiences from December 2 to 31 with the title role taken on by internet sensation Brido Hingwy, also known as Brian James O’Sullivan.

Starring alongside Brian will be Helen McAlpine, whose screen appearances include Scot Squad, Outlander and Waterloo Road, and who panto audiences might recognise from Macrobert’s Rapunzel from 2019 and Sleeping Cutie from 2018.

The Maw Goose cast will also include 28 children and young people, with 14 of the young Forth Valley ensemble on stage for each performance.

Also in the Christmas programme, Santa’s Little Astronaut will run from December 6 to 31 for ages 5and under.

The Royal Opera House will be bringing The Nutcracker to Macrobert’s big screen this festive season as well.

The pop-up market Handmade will also run from November 28 to January 8.

Julie Ellen, artistic director of Macrobert Arts Centre, said: “It’s been three years since Macrobert was full of panto fun and I cannot wait to be sharing the sheer joy and excitement with our audiences again.

“We have an exceptional group of young performers alongside the main cast line up of Scotland’s finest.

“Maw Goose 2022 really will be full of golden moments.”

Visit macrobertartscentre.org for tickets.