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Guides06 Nov 2025
Fundraising
There’s nothing like a dame: Aberdeen Arts Centre hospitality manager raises funds with panto challenge
Aberdeen Arts Centre’s hospitality manager will be swapping smart three-piece suits for sparkly high heels and makeup as he raises funds for the beloved city-centre venue.
James Welsh is embarking on a sponsored ‘Dame-a-thon’ on National Panto Day – Saturday, December 13 – to raise funds for the Save Aberdeen Arts Centre campaign.
Throughout the day, James will be decked out in a full panto dame costume as he manages both the matinee and evening performances of the Centre’s popular panto, Robin Hood. His ‘dame name’ will be revealed on the day.
James said: “I had been joking about doing something like this for a while… and little did I know, one of my colleagues got in touch with our panto partners, TaleGate Theatre Productions, and arranged for them to provide me a costume. There was no backing out after that!
“I found a pair of sparkly high heels in our costume store and have been practising with them around the office in preparation for the big day! I’ve been getting tips from our resident panto dame, Philip Napier, who has also promised to help me with my make-up on the day.
“It’s going to be great to put a big smile on people’s faces when they arrive for the panto, and raise vital funds for Aberdeen Arts Centre as well.”
With fellow Arts Centre staff and volunteers dressing up in solidarity – and the public encouraged to get festive and join in the fun, too – James’s fundraising challenge will add an extra element of panto fun for audience members on December 13.
Aberdeen Arts Centre fundraising manager Julia Smith added: “We’ve been blown away by the creative ways people have been fundraising for the Save Aberdeen Arts Centre campaign since we launched it in May, and James’s challenge is another example of that.
“I can’t wait to see him decked out in his full panto dame clobber and raising a smile while also raising money for the Arts Centre.”
Aberdeen Arts Centre’s pantomime, Robin Hood, runs from 29 November to 24 December.
