Potted Panto at Wilton’s Music Hall
Potted Panto is a quirky pantomime remix brought to Wilton’s Music Hall by director Richard Hurst. The show unfolds on a minimal stage with windows, a door and a chest, and is led by the Ant and Dec-like duo Daniel Clarkson and Gary Trainor. Simon Scullion’s oversized storybook, which the pair read from, is a brilliant touch and underscores the exaggerated world they create.
Across 80 minutes, the jokesters deliver several short summaries of classic pantomimes, reinvented for comedic effect. Everything about Clarkson and Trainor is hilarious. Their chemistry is effortless, and it carries straight to the audience. Almost every gag lands, with one joke about being “as smart as a Reform councillor” sparking a loud burst of laughter from everyone.
The strength of the production lies in the originality of its humour and the balance between the performers. Both men share the stage equally, taking turns narrating and embodying the characters. A standout moment is the cat in Dick Whittington, who apparently has to “sound street” because he grew up on the street, channelling Ali G.
The show does more than parody pantomime plots; it brings all the familiar tropes, laughter and audience involvement that make panto what it is. Participation from attendees is excellent when it comes, particularly the self-proclaimed princess sequence and the wonderfully egotistical Princess Charming in Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, who earns the most audience laughs.
Credit is due when it comes to the script, written by Hurst, Clarkson and Jefferson Turner. In less capable hands, Potted Panto could have tipped into chaotic nonsense, but here the controlled madness is exactly what keeps everyone engaged. The writing is witty and sharp, with a few adult jokes woven in, yet it still appeals to children thanks to occasional toilet humour that never becomes excessive.
Nicky Bunch’s costumes blend fairytale accuracy with playful creativity. Theatregoers instantly recognise the characters, even when the beanstalk costume looks like a Year 6 DT project, which is entirely intentional.
Music and sound add to the fun. Tom Lishman’s sound design heightens several gags, especially Princess Charming’s repeated and deliberately irritating cry of “Huzzah!” Phil Innes’s musical compositions supply an upbeat, Christmassy background that keeps spirits high throughout.
The only confusing moment is the 3D AI segment. While this part features the most audience participation and the context is there, the AI joke itself feels out of place. It is contemporary, but it doesn’t sit comfortably within the rest of the production’s style. Crowd involvement helps redeem the sequence, though it still doesn’t land as strongly as the rest.
Overall, Potted Panto is a brilliant night out for the whole family. It offers more than a retelling of familiar stories; it delivers impeccable comedic timing, well-crafted jokes, over-the-top costumes and plenty of full-belly laughs.
Sophie Humphrey
Photos: Geraint Lewis
Potted Panto is at Wilton’s Music Hall from 3rd December 2025 until 3rd January 2026. For further information or to book, visit the theatre’s website here.
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