She’s Behind You

She’s Behind You… oh yes she is!

A collaboration between the University of Glasgow, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and John Tiffany.

Join us for this stunning, multi-faceted journey through the history of the Scottish panto dame, brought hilariously and poignantly to life by the unstoppable inventor of post-modern panto, our very own RCS alumnus Johnny McKnight.

Transferring direct from the West End (of Glasgow!) for one performance only at Glasgow’s renowned Pavilion Theatre, She’s Behind You first riveted audiences as part of the Cameron Lecture Series.

She’s Behind You became an instant phenomenon when Johnny performed it at the University of Glasgow in February 2024. It is a deliciously honest, wicked, and moving unpicking of the significance of that well-kent Scottish theatre character, the Dame. Johnny’s glittery trip through the delight of this unique theatrical tradition helps us understand why dames are so close to our hearts.

“I am in love with the magic of theatre and, as you would expect me to say, I adore being in pantomime.”
– Johnny McKnight

“Hollywood repeats itself, first as musical, second as panto. If you have never imagined Dorothy in drag, well, you have never reckoned on Johnny McKnight, the spangly gold standard of pantomime dames, swapping denim for gingham and following the yellow brick road… as far as the West End of Glasgow.”

– The Guardian on the Tron Theatre’s Wonderful Wizard of Oz

“Johnny McKnight… is a genius. We were laughing through tears and in awe of the journey he has taken in framing a new kind of panto with the same laughs, the same poignancy, but with values we can embrace fully.”

– Audience Member, The Cameron Lecture / She’s Behind You

We look forward to seeing you in January for this dazzling, one-off performance by a Scottish performer at the peak of his powers. Oh yes we will…!

About the Cameron Lecture Series

She’s Behind You is part of the Cameron Lecture Series, created by world-renowned theatre director John Tiffany, former Associate Director of the National Theatre of Scotland. John’s productions for NTS include Black Watch, Let the Right One In, and Peter Pan.

John’s current production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child continues to wow audiences in London and worldwide. John co-created She’s Behind You with Johnny McKnight to celebrate the life-changing University of Glasgow tutor who inspired him to pursue a career in theatre – the late Dr. Alasdair Cameron.

Dr. Cameron, a renowned and influential scholar and teacher in the University of Glasgow’s Department of Theatre Studies, worked tirelessly to highlight the unique qualities of Scotland’s dynamic and provocative theatre creators.