She's Behind You

Winner of The Scotsman Fringe First Award 2025

Johnny McKnight has spent a lifetime in the pantosphere. After playing eighteen dames and writing more than thirty pantomimes, he invites you to take a peek underneath his hooped skirt and join him on a transformative journey.

She’s Behind You reflects on Johnny’s adventures in panto, entertaining audiences across Scotland over twenty years. Pantomime may be the most popular genre of theatre but it can also be the most conventional. His story is a testament to pushing the boundaries of the art form through a candid exploration of identity, courage and – finally – acceptance.

She’s Behind You is a collaboration with award-winning director John Tiffany which unearths the magic, music and madness behind the curtain with a story as touching it is hilarious. It’s a celebration of shifting traditions and the unexpected beauty found in the anarchy of pantomime.

She’s Behind You was originally conceived as part of the Cameron Lectures, in association with the University of Glasgow and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

She's Behind You is part of the Traverse's £1 Ticket Project.

Photography: Aly Wight, Design: Alan Buttar (Muse Design)

The Traverse Theatre is funded by Creative Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council.

Reviews:

★★★★★ 'Bubbling with fun and laughter' - The British Theatre Guide

★★★★★ 'McKnight is a force of nature' - The Skinny

★★★★★ 'A triumph of truth, tinsel and theatrical resistance' - The List

★★★★★ 'As poised and assured a piece of theatre as you could wish for – a beautifully constructed piece of storytelling' - All Edinburgh Theatre

★★★★★ 'An absolute cracker' - ScotsGay

★★★★★ 'Hugely entertaining' - Bouquets & Brickbats

★★★★★ 'Heartfelt and intimate' - The Reviews Hub

★★★★★ 'Both engrossing and genuinely funny' - WhatsOnStage

★★★★★'A glittering, gutsy call to joy” - The List

★★★★★ 'The sheer joy the show generates in Traverse One is something else' - The Quinntessential Review

★★★★★ 'Uproariously hilarious' - Mickey Jo Theatre

★★★★ 'Delightfully defiant' - The Scotsman

★★★★ '(A) tremendous show' - The Guardian

★★★★ 'Should be required viewing' - The Herald

★★★★ 'Ebullient and joyfully unfettered' - The Telegraph

★★★★ 'Through laughter or empathy, it’ll bring a tear to your eye' - Fest

★★★★ 'Blazingly vivid and extremely funny' - The Arts Desk

★★★★ 'Wildly funny' - Broadway Ben

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If you have access requirements, please contact our Sales and Welcome Team on boxoffice@traverse.co.uk or 0131 228 1404 so we can arrange reserved seating for you and discuss how else we can best support your visit.