EDINBURGH FRINGE: She’s Behind You at the Traverse Theatre****

Christmas has come early this year, and what a gift Johnny McKnight is giving us!

McKnight has been a pantomime dame for more than 20 years and, in association with the National Theatre of Scotland (which is itself an endorsement), he takes us on an hilarious, heartfelt, poignant journey from his tentative early days through the changes he has made as a scriptwriter and performer to keep panto traditional while moving with the times.

It’s a slick show, popping with starry lights (and stardust), with McKnight centre and stage every bit the star. Dressed as Dorothy Blown a Gale in a voluminous gingham dress and sparkly red trainers (or as he calls them, ‘age appropriate leisure shoes’), he fills the room with his huge personality and has his appreciative audience eating out of his hand. Oh yes he does!

Image: Alan Buttar

She’s Behind You is on at various times on various dates until Aug 24 at the Traverse Theatre (Traverse 1) (1 hr 20 mins)