Snow White: The Fairest Panto Of Them All At Theatre Royal, Portsmouth Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Lilybean Davis

It’s Chrissstmaaas! And that can only mean one thing….It’s Panto Season! Oh yes it is!

Snow White is the perfect choice, full of sparkle and slapstick silliness at the beautiful Theatre Royal in Portsmouth. It is a wonderfully festive crowd-pleaser giving us all that we know and love from a panto.

From beginning to end, this production is lively, joyful and full of fun showing us once more why panto is still one of the most wonderfully festive traditions in British theatre.

The show revolves around our beautiful Snow White, played by the talented Sophie-Rose Emery. As soon as the opening number began we knew we were in for a musical treat.

No panto is complete without a hilarious double act and Muddles and Nurse Nelly stole the show! At the start of the show we were informed that the understudies Matt Dingley and Danny Lee West would be playing the parts due to two of the main principal performers catching the unavoidable festive lurgy. The audience responded with warmth and encouragingly loud cheers as they took their first steps out on to the stage but wow what a duo! Their comic timing and hilarious ad-libs were perfection and we left the show not even remembering they weren’t always meant for these roles. Their routines left us groaning and laughing in equal measure and the interactive nature had everyone joining in! The Portsmouth punchlines were an added bonus.

We yelled, cheered and booed with glorious gusto, especially as the villain of the panto took to the stage. Julia Worsley was a spectacular one, with vocals to blow the roof off and comedic moments that kept us all laughing long after the punchline was delivered. Her interaction with Fred Dineage as the Magic Mirror added a different dimension and worked really well.

Alongside the first class performances from the main cast, I can’t go any further without mentioning the seven smaller stars of the show. The children playing the Incredible Seven…who were just that. Incredible. Bold, brave and fearless they dominated the stage during their time in the spotlight and the cheers at the end were a clear sign that all felt the same as I did. All superstars.

Visually, the production was colourful and imaginative with smooth transitions between scenes. The lighting effects used to introduce us to the Magic Mirror were impressive and added to the drama! Add in the beautifully created costumes that showcased each of the character’s personality, it really was a joy to behold.

Snow White: The Fairest Panto of them is a panto not to be missed. For a hilarious evening of audience participation, plenty of laughs and strong performances by all cast members it does exactly what is says on the tin. You won’t be disappointed! Oh no you won’t!

Rating: 5/5
Tickets can be purchased at www.newtheatreroyal.com
Prices start from £10
Show runs from 12th December 2025 – 4th January 2025.