Potted Panto – Wilton’s Music Hall, London

Writers: Daniel Clarkson, Jefferson Turner and Richard Hurst

Director: Richard Hurst

Returning to the delightful Wilton’s Music Hall, Potted Panto is a jam-packed 80 minutes full of festive silliness and fun.

Written and performed by Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner, who are also the brains behind Potted Pirates, Potted Sherlock, and, most famously, Potted Potter, their work has seen them nominated for Olivier Awards and is currently being toured around the world.

In their signature style of condensed comedy, Potted Panto sees the players rattle through a series of their favourite pantos. Audiences watch the duo as they ride through the tales of Jack and The Beanstalk, Aladdin, A Christmas Carol, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella and Dick Whittington (plus some heated arguments about whether the Nativity should indeed be included under the umbrella of pantomime).

For such a well-known genre, there is a definite creativity in Potted Panto’s stripped-back storytelling. They use every trope to their advantage, including the classic ‘straight man’ and ‘funny man’ double act. Through the cluelessness of our funny man, Dan, they are able to teach newcomers the traditions of panto while allowing those well-versed to lead.

Sprinkled throughout the show is clever puppetry, charming music and singalongs, and playful audience participation. These elements, plus an array of others, keep the show moving along and give lots of unexpected moments. They also utilise the various entrances and exits of the space, managing comedic quick changes and giving a sense of a full stage of rotating characters with essentially only two actors. The show evokes a joyous feeling of nostalgia for those adults in the audience and playful silliness for the children.

At times it’s a little heavy-handed on the toilet humour, but kids do love a poo joke. There’s a funny use of current political topics for the adults in the audience. However, the pop culture and music references feel dated.

Clarkson and Turner are clearly a seasoned team with great trust, allowing them to really play and improvise with each other on stage. They also quickly build rapport with the audience, meaning lots of playful back and forth. Potted Panto is a fantastic family night out and does a brilliant job of entertaining children and adults alike. It’s got everything you expect plus a little bit more and is a wonderful way to get in the spirit this festive season.

Runs until 4 January 2025