Pantomime Reviews
Our 2019/20 Panto Season
Here are some snippets from our 2019/20 panto season. Please see the individual show pages for more reviews and production photographs.
Cinderella, Fairfield Halls, Croydon 2019
“As times are changing sometimes the old "it's behind you" just doesn't cut it any more, audiences are expecting bigger and better and the cast and crew of Cinderella delivered a razzle-dazzle show.”
Jack & the Beanstalk, Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock 2019
“Imagine Theatre have managed to strike the perfect balance between seriously good comedy and quality storytelling. The Beacon Arts Centre pantomime is the one that I blindly recommend to families every year and I'm thrilled to see that its showing no signs of ever letting me down!”
Cinderella, The Hexagon Theatre, Reading 2019
“Cinderella is fabulous festive fun for all ages, the jokes will get you laughing, and the songs will get you clapping: You won’t want the magic to end.”
Aladdin, De Montfort Hall, Leicester 2019
“Everyone wants some magic at Christmas, and Aladdin has it in spades.”
Our 2018/19 Panto Season
Here are some snippets from our 2018/19 panto season. Please see the individual show pages for more reviews and production photographs.
Sleeping Beauty, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry 2018
“A staggeringly good balance of straight vs silly, superb acting, amazing rapport between the whole cast – glitter, glamour, humour, catchy songs, angelic goodies and boo-some baddies; it really does have everything. ”
Sleeping Beauty at The Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock 2018
“This is a traditional panto with a fresh script and terrific cast that will make you feel full of festive joy!”
Jack and the Beanstalk at Eden Court Inverness 2018
“Full of corny gags, spectacle, slick dance routines, and plenty of fun for the audience, Jack and the Beanstalk is just the heartening outing to cheer all ages in this time of strife and gloom”
Beauty at the Beast at The Adam Smith, Kirkcaldy 2018
“Superbly-executed family panto with all the local and topical trimmings ”
2017/18 Reviews
Cinderella, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, 2017
… unforgettable evening of Christmas entertainment.
The moment when Cinders leaves for the ball will genuinely take your breath away...the costumes, hair and make-up are intricate, elaborate and really great fun.
Coventry Telegraph
Snow White, Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock 2017
“Snow White is up there with the best...Expect laughter lines, belly aches and boo-inducing sequences in this masterclass of pantomime... you’d better be quick to catch your dose of festive cheer.”
Thereviewshub.com
Snow White, Eden Court Inverness, 2017
“The pantomime season has kicked off in style in the Highland capital with a mixture of magic and humour – and a few surprises on the way”
Sleeping Beauty, The Royal Spa Centre, Leamington, 2017
“With plenty of slapstick comedy for the kids and jokes for the big kids this is yet another perfect panto offering for the whole family.”
"Imagine Theatre out-do themselves with the perfect mix of comedy, music and outlandish costumes."
The Leamington Observer
Beauty and the Beast, The Palace Theatre, Newark 2017
“the show has creative sets and colourful costumes plus the must-have double-entendres and slapstick comedy, not to mention fantastic music, dynamic choreography and even a fight scene.....For magical family fun and laughter this festive season, Beauty And The Beast truly fits the bill.”
The Newark Advertiser
Cinderella, The Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl, 2017
It is always a time of high expectation and, time too, spent wondering whether they can match the amazingly high standards set down the years.
So, it's is with tidings of great joy then, that I can report that the answer to that is a resounding yes and then some. This Cinderella basically fizzes and sparkles with fantastic festive fun for all the family.
Walesonline
Peter Pan, The Hexagon, Reading 2017
“...the perfect blend of slapstick, slosh, songs and surprises ensuring a memorable night out....Peter Pan flies high and a must-see festive treat. It’s a feel good show that gets the whole family laughing and laughing and laughing.”
The Wokingham Paper
Cinderella, Southport Theatre, 2017
“Quite simply, it is the best pantomime I have seen at the venue in years...exceeds expectations and thrills members of the audience of all ages...This is a great show and we are lucky to have it in our town. I would recommend it without hesitation.”
Southport Visiter
2016/17 Reviews
Aladdin, Queen's Theatre Barnstaple, 2016
"Gold, glitter and eye-watering dance moves at this year's Queen's Theatre Panto.
"Barnstaple performance of traditional tale is as polished as Aladdin's lamp.
"...riotous, toe-tapping, gag-filled feast of family fun...
"His flamboyant performance is certainly one of the stand-outs of this year's production - think gold, glitter and eye-watering dance moves.
"It's all heart-warming good family fun."
- Andy Keeble, North Devon Gazette
Dick Whittington, Belgrade Theatre Coventry, 2016
5 Stars
"If you're looking for relentless energy, excitement laughs by the bucketload - all packed into a show that flies by despite coming in at well over two hours - then look no further.
"... as per usual the pair [Iain Lauchlan, as Dame Sarah the Cook and Craig Hollingsworth as Idle Jack] are on electric form, with the laughs coming in quick succession.
"... mess, mayhem and off-script foul ups make for a side-splitting scene that will live in the memory for a long time.
"As you would expect from the talented team behind this year's Christmas staple, it's a guaranteed winner.
"... the best Belgrade panto in years".
- Sam Dimmer, Coventry Evening Telegraph
Beauty and the Beast, Beacon Arts Centre Greenock, 2016
5 Stars
"... a delight from start to finish.
"Beauty and the Beast exceeded all of my expectations. The sets are stunning, cast are terrific and Alan McHugh's script is wonderful. I can't recommend this pantomime enough!"
Natalie O'Donoghue, BroadwayWorld.com
Dick Whittington, Eden Court Inverness, 2016
4 Stars
"... head for Inverness, where the Eden Court team turn out what's possibly the finest family panto in Scotland this year, open-hearted, funny, generous, and featuring a brilliant central comedy team in director-cum-performer Steven Wren as Sarah the Cook, and the quietly excellent Ross Allan as her son, Idle Boaby.
"... a fine, well-made family show, that seems to be enjoying its relationship with the audience so much that it hardly wants the fun to end."
Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman
Beauty and the Beast, Palace Theatre Kilmarnock, 2016
"If you like your pantos traditional, with a sprinkling of bawdy humour, a generous helping of slapstick, and a tasty battle between good and evil, then do get your tickets now before Beauty and the Beast sells out.
"My kids want to go again!"
Clair Fullerton, Kilmarnock Standard
Jack and the Beanstalk, Grand Pavilion Porthcawl, 2016
4 Stars
"... Christmas cracker of fun, thrills and spills for all the family.
"Performances are excellent right across the board...
"The acting and slapstick skits are exemplary...
"Add to that a plethora of great sets and often outrageous costumes and you have got a sure-fire winner on your hands. This Yuletide there are plenty of shows about vying for your attention, but few will have the honest and downright energy and fun of this offering. If you want to entertain the whole family this season then get yourselves down to the seaside - you most definitely will not regret it."
Steve Tucker, Wales Online
Dick Whittington, The Hexagon Reading, 2015
A live orchestra, fireworks and plenty of audience interaction; these are just some of the many things you can expect from The Hexagon's jam-packed panto, Dick Whittington.
"You're in for a treat.
"There were some wonderful and hilarious moments that had the children belly laughing and the adults too."
Francesca Perryman, Get Reading
Aladdin, Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, 2015
"Another year, another great panto at Southport Theatre.
"The show has everything you would expect, and love, in a panto"
"... everyone who goes will have great festive, family fun".
Steve Tucker, Wales Online
Older reviews
Read the first review and take a look at our production photgraphs.