Author: Brett Herriot

“a magical comedy fuelled panto extravaganza “

**** 4 Stars

The corner stone of pantomime in Yorkshire must be the iconic Alhambra Theatre in Bradford a venue which annually stages one of the longest running pantomime season’s in the country. This year see’s Snow White taking to the stage with the simply legendary Billy Pearce making his 25^th appearance leading the show. It’s made even more remarkable as 2025 was a tough year for Pearce who has battled back from serious surgery and delivers a staggering performance that belies the fact he is approaching his mid 70’s.

This Snow White is nothing short of a magical comedy fuelled panto extravaganza. Written by Harry Michaels and Allan McHugh with additional material by Billy Pearce and Gareth Joyner it’s clear that Billy Pearce is simply beloved in Bradford and rightly so, playing the “Man in The Mirror” this is a show that’s built both around and for him and he delivers a pantomime masterclass. The same is true of Myra Dubois (the creation of Gareth Joyner) as Queen Lucretia who delivers one of the finest modern panto baddies. Myra isn’t a “Drag Queen” but a fully realised female comedy character akin to the late Dame Edna Everage and that allows Myra to embrace the heart of pantomime and is never happier when picking victims in the audience to lambast as well keeping the story flowing via comedy. Taking the role of Snow White is the beautiful Sarah Pearson who brings the right princess magic and vocal abilities to the role. The Gorgeous Callum Connolly takes on the role of Prince William of Wakefield and he delivers in spades with great vocals to boot. The Magnificent Seven Jamie John, Josh Bennett, Richard Blenkiron, Andy Herd, Kyle Herd, Paul Monaghan and Craig Sailsbury bring the required chutzpah to the seven dwarfs, but Jamie John is true stand out, as he joins the principals’ delivering sketches with great comic ability. Its time Jamie John reached beyond Snow white every panto season to tackle other titles and characters as he truly gets the art form and mastery of panto.

Rounding out the main cast is 80’s icon Sinitta, but it’s a bit of miss fire of casting, as Sinitta doesn’t appear to get the art of pantomime and appears often unphased to almost confused in her role of “The Spirit of Pantomime” although vocally she delivers well especially in a re-written version of her hit “So Macho” which goes down well.

The principal cast are joined by an eight strong ensemble who are polished and full of panto joy especially when delivering legendary Choreographer Stillie Dee’s inspired and panto flavoured filled choreography. The Alhambra is also one of the few crossroads pantomimes in the country to feature a team of “Babes” affectionately known as the “Sunbeams” and it really adds that special magical topping to the show.

Director Ed Curtis displays great temerity and knowledge of both Bradford and the abilities of its Star Billy Pearce and that’s what makes the show uniquely Yorkshire and so at home in its home city. Production wise the show is all quality worthy of the west end.  Ian Westbrook’s inventive set design sparkles under Rory Beaton’s exquisite lighting design that brings out the best of both the show and the Alhambra’s gorgeous Auditorium. Special mention must also go to Teressa Nalton (with Additional Costume design from Ron Briggs and Speciality Costume design and construction from Mike Coltman) and her teams lush and beautiful costume design that knocks the eye out at every opportunity.  Richard Brooker’s sound design is on point with every line and lyric heard with clarity and the balance between performers and musical director James McCullagh and his five strong pit band is utterly Flawless.

The cherry on the panto cake at the Alhambra must be the work of those clever boys at Twins FX you will believe this is a panto world where helicopters fly and dragons’ breath fire with equal ease and proves how far pantomime has come but for that being said, there is a rich vein of tradition running through this sublime panto offering.

This is a Snow White that delivers everything it should but it’s the joy of seeing the Legend that is Billy Pearce work that makes this an irresistible treat to try and catch before the end of its run! So head to the Alhambra now and snap up those tickets!

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford, Runs until Sunday 18^th January 2026 for tickets go to: Snow White | Bradford Theatres

Crossroads Pantomimes and The Alhambra Theatre have confirmed that Billy Pearce will return for Christmas 2026 to Bradford in “The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan!” Tickets go on sale in the spring.

“A Joyous celebration of all that’s good in panto! “

***** 5 Stars

The Edinburgh King’s Panto return’s one more time to the Festival Theatre owing to a delay in the revamp of the King’s the team bring Jack and The Beanstalk to Edinburgh’s biggest stage and delivery a production that’s pure west end but with the beating heart of Edinburgh’s rich panto heritage and that essential touch of magic that the triumvirate of Stewart, Stott and Young can only produce, this is a giant of panto in every respect and see’s the team leave the Festival theatre with an almighty bang.

Written by Harry Michaels & Allan Stewart, with additional material by Matt Slack, Grant Stott & Jordan Young this is a panto that’s admittedly light on story but embraces wonderfully the formula that works brilliantly at the London Palladium and that’s good old-fashioned Variety. Spectacular musical numbers blend with excellent comedy as the team blast there way through a sleigh full of sketches all wrapped around the familiar story of Jack and The Beanstalk, but the writers give the audience the credit that they know the tale inside out and that allows for a joyous celebration of all that’s good in panto to unfold.

Allan Stewart marks his golden anniversary, yes! 50 years, in panto this year, with 28 of those in frocks as dame, and he proves he still in the form of his life as Dame May McTrott makes her entrance and becomes the driving force of the show. His legs are still the best in the business and once again Stewart gets through a plethora of outrageous frocks including the biggest boobs in pantoland that leaves the audience in stitches. Grant Stott returns to his original baddie “Fleshcreep” and he simply has to step out onto stage and the boo’s ring out loud and clear and he laps them up, there isn’t better baddie to be found and Stott gives his creations the right flavour of local “ned” but still brings enough of a scary edge to give the child in all of us a thrill, he really Is the big tidy of villains. Jordan Young brings out the best in his daft laddie character as he takes the title role of Jack McTrott, and he is adored by the audience and has become a cherished corner stone of the Edinburgh panto team. Clare Gray returns as a couthy “Pat the Cow” sadly she is a little underused, but boy does she make every moment on stage count and the emotional nods to her father by Clare as well as Stewart and Stott don’t go unnoticed and adds an endearing quality to the show. Local lass Gail Watson shines as the Spirit of the Beans often great things come in smaller packages and Watson delivers in spades. Amber Sylvia Edwards brings sweetness and great vocals to the role Princess Jill.

The principals are joined by a ten strong ensemble who shine equally when on stage and never more so than when delivering Karen Martins inspired choreography. Director Ed Curtis takes the helm for his 12^th panto with the Edinburgh team and fully understands what Edinburgh audiences want and delivers that in spades with a show which is tight throughout and cracks along at a great pace.

Production wise this is simply a triumph. Olivier nominated and award-winning set designer Mark Walters London Palladium set looks absolutely gorgeous on the Festival stage it sparkles like a story book come to life and is enriched by Rory Beaton’s sublime lighting design that’s every inch pure west end. Ryan Dewar delivers the goods with a fun video and projection design with a live camera sketch given a hilarious outing. Richard Brooker’s sound design is perfectly balanced with musical director Andy Pickering and his five strong pit band bringing polished music to the show.

Special mention must go to costume designer Teresa Nalton and her team, (Additional Costume design by Ron Brings and speciality costume design and construction by Mike Coltman) the costumes this year drip luxury and big budget from the get-go and encapsulates the magic of pantomime.

Speaking of magic, the cherry on this panto cake are the special effects from those talented boys at Twins FX and this year the biggest of giants and beanstalk appear to spectacular effect that has the audience gasping in wonder.

Jack and the Beanstalk delivers everything it sets out to do and that’s allowing our beloved King’s panto team to take a spectacular final bow at the festival theatre whilst delivering the perfect festive treat that’s now become beloved by generations of families.

As the curtain fell its clear all eyes are on a spectacular return home to the Kings with the debut of Pinocchio an until now unseen panto in Edinburgh but rest assured the triumvirate will be back, but my word they have a job on there hands to top this years dose of pure panto perfection that’s selling out performance after performance so you’d better rush up the beanstalk and to the festival theatre for those last remaining tickets for this year’s spectacular!.

Jack and the Beanstalk, the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh Runs until Sunday 11^th January 2026 for tickets go to: Jack and the Beanstalk – Capital Theatres

Capital Theatre’s has confirmed that pantomime will return home to the King’s Theatre with Pinocchio from Saturday 28^th November 2026 to Sunday 17^th January 2027 and tickets are now on sale at: The Adventures of Pinocchio – Capital Theatres

***** (5 stars)

“Celebrates a decade of decadent panto joy”

The biggest panto in the United Kingdom marks its 10^th anniversary since its revival at the world-famous London Palladium with a brand-new production of Sleeping Beauty the pantomime of your dreams. This really is a dream of pantomime that celebrates a decade of decadent panto joy with a show that imbues everything the Palladium Panto has come to stand for.

This Sleeping Beauty while thin on story line is filled with laughter, music, comedy including a crescendo of smut and innuendo alongside an eye-popping set, costumes and special effects that can only truly be found at the Palladium.

Leading the cast is the true queen of Camp Julian Clary as “King Julian” who once again dawns a knockout collection of costumes from acclaimed designer Hugh Durrant and proves once more that he is at the top of his game. Within just 30 seconds of his arrival on stage the palladium auditorium is a roar with laughter, no one does it quite like Julian Clary. Also returning to the stage are the regular gang of Paul Zerdrin “The Great Zerdini”, the beloved Nigel Havers “The keeper of the privy” and the simply outstanding Rob Madge as “The Diva of Dreams”. Making their Palladium panto debuts are Catherine Tatre “Carabosse”, Jon Culshaw “The King’s private detective”, Emily Lane “Princess Aurora”, Amonik Melaco “Prince Peter” and David Knox “Master of The Royal Flame”.

Performances are beyond compare with every member of the principal cast simply reveling in there moment in the spotlight Clary is on fire and the depth of his bond with Havers (who is never better) reaches new heights especially in a moment that drips with Pathos. Zerdrin and his little friend Sam bring childlike wonder that captures children young and Old. Catherine Tate who makes her first foray into pantoland and she is a natural! Getting boos with ease and there are also appearances from some of her many sketch characters and the moment a certain OAP Joannie Taylor takes a liberty and makes an appearance in an outrageous musical number! brings the house down. Jon Culshaw delivers a 21 one-gun salute of impressions, and he impresses with his incredibly gifted talent. Special mention goes to Rob Madge, they are the glue to holds the panto together with a rich stage presence that’s much by their honey-soaked vocals and comedy pedigree.

The palladium panto also features a sixteen strong ensemble who shine especially when delivering Karen Bruce’s exquisite choreography. There can’t be a more tightly drilled ensemble than this one as Burce’s choreo runs the gamut of dance styles and the boys in the ensemble show their comedy vigor as on more than one occasion they dawn the skirts and high heels to hilarious effects.

Production wise director Michael Harrison, again at the height of his pantomime powers, and his team have delivered a triumphant tour de force of a production. Mark Walters excels himself with an enchanting set design that’s brought to further vivid life by Ben Cracknell’s awesome lighting design that not only makes the set sparkle but also Teresa Nalton’s inspired costume design (with specialty costume design from Mike Coltman) which sets a new standard of excellence for pantomime costumes. Matt Peploe’s sound design is pitch perfect and to a total west end standard. The balance between performers and Gary Hind’s outstanding 12-piece pit orchestra is flawless as it is faultless.

The cherry on this anniversary pantomime cake comes from those boys at Twin’s FX who have pulled all the stops out to not only revive some awesome effects from across the previous decade but also raise the bar in a jaw dropping finale to act one that pops the eyes and the senses and ensures the Palladium Panto retains its title as the most spectacular panto in the UK and well beyond.

Sleeping Beauty at the London Palladium brings west end chutzpah to the world of pantomime and proves that when the magical formula works there is no limits to what can be achieved especially if you dream big enough. With Confirmation that panto returns to the Palladium for Christmas 2026 its clear a new golden era has established itself with a show that sparkles and proves itself to be the ultimate festive treat! So, dream big and dream quick and head to Argyle Street and the palladium for a pantomime we have all been dreaming of!

Michael Harrison in association with Crossroads Pantomimes presents Sleeping Beauty, The London Palladium, London, runs until Sunday 11^th January 2026 for more information and tickets go to: Sleeping Beauty | Palladium Pantomime Returns in 2025 | The London Palladium