Local actor Finlay McKillop nominated as “Best Newcomer” alongside TV stars in Pantomime Awards

Monifeith actor Finlay McKillop has been nominated alongside some of the biggest names in the West End at the upcoming Pantomime Awards 2023.

Finlay finds himself nominated for his performance as Puss in Boots in ANGUSalive’s Christmas panto – Rapunzel featuring Puss in Boots – at the Webster Memorial Theatre in Arbroath and is delighted to be nominated alongside high-profile stars Vernon Kay and 2-time Grammy Award nominee Carrie Hope Fletcher.

Finlay, 24, graduated from the Emil Dale Academy drama school in Hitchin in 2021 where he achieved a first-class BA (Hons) Degree in Musical Theatre. He has since starred at the Edinburgh Fringe in musicals such as Rent and Les Misérables and has just finished a 6 month contract on Viking Cruises where he was a lead vocalist.

Finlay said “I am absolutely thrilled to learn about this nomination for such a prestigious award. It’s an honour to be associated with some incredible performers so I am very humbled by the news. I grew up watching the panto at the Webster Memorial Theatre so to be nominated for a performance there makes it very special indeed.”

Scott McRuvie, Theatre and Venues Team Leader at ANGUSalive said: “We are ecstatic to learn that Finlay has received this nomination. Finlay was magnificent in his performance and to hear that he has been nominated for it is just the icing on the cake for him and our team who worked incredibly hard over the festive period to deliver a brilliant Panto, written and directed by JJ Christine and produced by ANGUSalive’s Claire Drummie.

The awards ceremony takes place in the classy West End Trafalgar Theatre on 11 April.