Written & directed by Michael Pirks
Returning once again to review a Michael Pirks Soup Production feels less like an assignment and more like coming home. Since first meeting Pirks in 2024, I’ve been hooked on his brilliantly spirited writing, and Pantoville – my fifth of his shows, proves yet again that his creative well runs deep and delightfully wild. While his previous works I’ve seen have been plays, this venture into pantomime is nothing short of a triumphant stroke of genius.
With all the essential ingredients of a classic panto – singing, dancing, audience participation and of course the timeless cries of “He’s behind you!” and “Oh no you didn’t!”, Pirks not only honours the tradition but elevates it. The script is enriched with beloved Disney and storybook characters, giving the show a vibrant, whimsical energy from start to finish.
We follow Dotty (Sam Duxbury), the sweet but overlooked daughter of the endearingly scatterbrained inventor Wacky Wally (Andy McQuoid). The only singleton in a town bursting with princesses, Dotty soon crosses paths with her charming Prince Bridgerton (Harry Twining). As all good tales demand, true love’s road proves bumpy. The wicked Selina (Jo Preston), determined to steal the prince for herself, casts a spell with the assistance of Sparkles (Jayne Dittrich). Can it be undone? Narrator Whiskas (Lisa Rhodes) guides us through the enchanting chaos as the quest for love – real love – unfolds.
Pirks’s script sparkles with clever twists, witty lines for children, and just enough cheeky innuendo to give the grown-ups a conspiratorial chuckle without the little ones noticing. Dee Dog (Josh Hopson) brings a hearty dose of humour, weaving seamlessly among the mischievous storybook villains and their antics.
The cast, a fabulous blend of familiar faces and exciting new ones, inject their vocal talents with gusto. A highlight of the afternoon was the brilliantly conceived sing-off. Jo Preston’s vocals were nothing short of stunning; she commanded the stage with a magnetic presence, whether villain or vixen. Sam Duxbury and Harry Twining delivered beautifully controlled vocal performances, their chemistry carrying the heart of the story. And a special mention must go to Samantha Jane’s Rapunzel as her sass, sparkle and attitude lit up every moment she was on stage.
The infectious community spirit inside St Thomas’s Church Hall was impossible to miss. Friends, families and children cheered, booed, sang and revelled in a world built with love, creativity and pure escapism. Pirks has once again proven that he possesses a winning formula in his writing, one that celebrates storytelling, togetherness and unashamed fun.
Pantoville is refreshing, vibrant and wonderfully crafted, a testament to Pirks’s imagination and the cast’s wholehearted dedication. It was an honour to watch, to laugh, to cheer and to lose myself in the magic of this world.
Well done to the entire company and may your Christmas be as joyful and bright as the sparkle that lit up the stage – after all, nothing says festive spirit quite like a panto that sleighs!
Reviewer: Katie Leicester
Reviewed: 6th December 2025
North West End UK Rating: