You can’t beat a traditional panto – and The Witham’s 2025 production offers a classic take on Snow White.
And just in case anybody hadn’t got the memo, the action plunged straight into a crowd-pleasing round of “Oh, yes it is!”, getting the audience revved up from the start.
That set the tone for a lively evening of wordplay and slapstick that kept the kids giggling away all night while still offering enough to keep mum and dad entertained.
Highlights included a brilliantly executed Apple Watch gag, with Dame Dotty (Phil Hoyles) and Muddles (Danny Patterson) showing off some flawless comic timing.
And there was room for a bit of audience participation, with something of a stage invasion when the crowd was invited to pelt the Wicked Queen (Eleanor Alderson) after her cunning plot unravelled.
While those three are familiar faces from previous Witham pantos, this year’s show also brought a new face.
Charlotte Hugill took on the title role and collected the pop culture references with aplomb, from a rendition of Shake it Off for the Swifties to the obligatory six-seven gag (thanks to my daughter for explaining that one to a grumpy old dad).
A strong ensemble cast was rounded off by Victoria West as the Prince and Alice Ferguson as the Fairy Godmother.
And the whole show flew by in two hours of fun and laughter. But don’t just take my word for it.
As a gaggle of excited children filed out of the theatre, the reviews were flooding in: “Amazing”, “proper good”, “best thing ever”.
- Snow White runs at The Witham until December 24. Showtimes vary, visit thewitham.org.uk for full details. Tickets cost £18 for adults, £15 for U16s and £58 for families (four people, at least one child).
