Writers: Daniel Clarkson, Jefferson Turner and Richard Hurst
Director: Richard Hurst
In the faraway land in the East End of London, there is a production that brings not one, two, or three, but seven different pantomimes to life for a fun, fast-paced show for ages 6 to 106.
This production begins with an introduction to the two main cast members, Daniel Clarkson and Gary Trainor. Gary is the straight man to Dan’s funny guy persona. This does not mean that Gary does not get to have his own silly moments. Dan and Gary constantly outdo one another to get the best comedic moment throughout the scenes. They do a wonderful job at playing off each other and with the audience to create a light-hearted performance.
After the two discuss what a pantomime is, they decide to put on six different pantomimes, though if Dan behaves, a seventh one is promised at the end. The first fairy tale is Jack and the Beanstalk, then Dick Whittington, Sleeping Beauty, and part of Cinderella are performed in the first act.
The second act has a shorter potted panto to recap the prior stories to the audience. This is a hilarious moment as Dan keeps challenging them to perform the recap faster and faster. Following this spectacular feat, the rest of the Cinderella story occurs, then Snow White and finally a mix of the Christmas Carol and Aladdin. Though the production moves quickly from one story to the next, the pacing works well.
Almost each fairy tale is told from start to finish with additional fun comedic actions occurring throughout the stories. Through the usage of different props and costumes, the story deviates to address these added elements. This means that some of the stories are given more time than others. This is also true with how much a story veers off course into random tangents that are at times hilarious, but can quickly become tedious and repetitious. Though not all jokes land, there is usually someone in the audience who finds that particular joke funny, which shows the broad range of jokes and humour.
The most impressive story told is Snow White. Making sure to rhyme with every line, Gary and Dan’s creativity in creating clever and fun rhyming bits is impressive and fun to watch.
The use of props and costumes is well done and adds to the hilarity of any given situation and fairy tale. Though the two typically play similar roles throughout, which the actors poke fun at, this adds to the comedic moments, especially towards the end when one decides to play the villain.
This production has what everyone loves about pantomimes: fun characters, audience interaction and good slapstick humour that pokes fun at not only themselves, but pop culture, British politics and other current events. This show brings together the fun and joyful holiday season with wonderful stories that will have audiences leaving with a smile on their face.
Runs until 3 January 2026
