REVIEW - POTTED PANTO - APOLLO THEATRE -

Seven great classic pantos in just 70 minutes, well six, plus a spot of Dickens.

Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner are our hosts, characters, and panto guides. They have also written the show (along with Richard Hurst), which is in its seventh West End season! They take us through the classics of panto with plenty of slapstick, smutty jokes, and laughs abound.

There is a simplicity to the show with a minimalistic set, designed by Simon Scullion and Nicky Bunch. Comprising of a silhouette of a house, with red curtains over the windows and door, a podium with a binder of stories, and a red curtained box which gives us all we need. But also, the extravagance which you come to expect of a panto, from truly exaggerated, energetic performances to the costumes. There are more costume changes than I could count, all masterfully created to be instantly recognisable, but also to adapt for a quick change, and there are some seriously quick changes! Added to this are a range of props to bring us the stories we all know, with an added new twist – who knew it was a Canadian Moose who laid the golden eggs?

The script is witty and engaging. Children and adults alike were laughing. Double Entendres aplenty with the Prince’s famous balls and Dick’s Whittington. As standard with any good panto (let alone 7!) there is plenty of audience participation- Cinderella in 3D is a particular highlight. The performance does a fabulous job of explaining panto conventions throughout, introducing new panto-goers to the joys of “It’s behind you!” and a jolly good sing-along at the end. As an avid panto fan (already on my 3rd of the season) I thoroughly enjoyed this entry into panto land.

Prince Charming (Clarkson) makes several appearances (huzzah!) as he makes his way around all the Princesses in panto land. A delightful cross between Adam Ant and Lord Flashheart.

If you are looking for a way to introduce your little ones to panto, or just can’t decide which of London’s many offerings to choose from, come and see them all in Potted Panto.

{🎟 AD – PR invite – Tickets were gifted in exchange for an honest review}

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