Dick Whittington At Oxford Playhouse Review

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

Reviewed by Joanna Woodburn

Is it really that magical time of the year again? Oh no it isn’t!…Oh, yes it is! We are talking about Panto season, of course and all things Christmassy! Having been lucky enough to see a fair few pantos over the years, I can truly say that nowhere does it better than the fabulous Oxford Playhouse and this year’s production of Dick Whittington is no exception!

Writer and Director, Toby Hulse returns for his fourth pantomime at the Playhouse, following the venue’s outstanding success at the 2025 Pantomime Awards, at which last year’s Sleeping Beauty production received the Special Recognition Award for Innovation – audiences can be reassured that they are in the very best of hands for a show full of great entertainment.

Taking us back to the 1990s, Dick Whittington offers all the traditional panto elements with a nostalgic 90’s blend of iconic fashion, vibrant noughties music and celebrities of the era – for the adult audience, it is very cleverly portrayed and gives the show a hilarious twist on this much-loved fairytale.

We all loved the 90’s song and dance numbers and it was great fun as we, the audience, were transported to Oxenford’s Top Pop, to enjoy flashback classic 90’s Britpop hits from rival boy bands Boy Bland and 4EVA, with a mega playlist from the likes of Oasis, the Spice Girls and Steps – great fun!

Taking the audience on a feel-good journey of panto escapism and joy, with lots of ups and downs on the way, as the good guys try their very best to prevail over the evil villains! The production, just like the best of pantos, manages to juggle elements which appeal to both the young and the old with ease. As the curtain goes up, the excitement was contagious, with lots of slapstick humour, some magical and some equally cringe moments, as well as hilarious innuendos (flying right over the top of younger heads!) so the adults never feel neglected. What’s not to love! The grown-ups sitting around us were laughing the whole way through the show and it was contagious!

Each year, I always feel that what makes the Playhouse pantos particularly special are the local jokes and references, as we recognise the places and chuckle (for once!) about the congestion charge. As our hero, Dick Whittington travels with her magical cat, Fairy Bowbells from Gloucester Green Market (in Oxenford!) to London Town to try to rid the capital of the terrible Liam Rattagher and his plague of rats.

All the cast were brilliant, bouncing off each other and filling the stage with their presence and engagement, really working tremendously hard to make sure absolutely everyone had the best of times – and we did! A huge well done also to the amazingly talented members of the Dick Whittington Young Company – they were inspirational! It would be truly hard to pick any standout performance (we all had different favourites!) but Robin Hemmings’ wicked portrayal of the iconic Liam Rattagher will be guaranteed to live on in memories!

Dick Whittington has all the hallmarks of the best in pantomimes – vibrancy, laughter, singing, dancing, audience participation… the list could go on and on! A truly wonderful Christmas cracker of a treat – oh yes it is!

Rating: 5/5

Dick Whittington is at the Oxford Playhouse in Oxford from Wednesday 26th November 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026, for more information or to book tickets visit www.oxfordplayhouse.com

The Oxford Playhouse, 11-12 Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2LW