Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – Alhambra Bradford

The year Billy Pearce began his panto career at this historic venue Bill Clinton had just become President, Microsoft released Windows and Jurassic Park was pulling the crowds in. 25 years on, and Pearce is no dinosaur as for a performer in his seventies he still has energy to burn

His festive turn as the leading man at the Alhambra is now as traditional as turkey stuffing, and from the moment the kids (and big kids) bellowed back ‘hello Billy’ (oh, yes they did) he has a very lively intergenerational audience in the palm of his hand. It really is a masterclass in how to work a crowd, and as a veteran of the Yorkshire club circuit his timing and ability to think on his feet is still razor sharp.

This year (as he notes on stage) for his silver jubilee he is The Man In The Mirror – complete with mirrored costume – working for the wicked Queen Lucretia, who for some reason rules Bradford. She is step mother to Snow White who falls instantly in love with Prince William of Wakefield, but in classic panto tradition love does not run smoothly so Pearce rallies The Magnificent Seven dwarves who add loads of fun to this show to help out.

Drag is such a central part of panto lore, and in a lovely turn from tradition Myra Dubois is not the Dame but plays the villainous Queen. Panto has always had daft gags for the kids and some blue stuff for the grown ups, and some of Dubois’ material is so near the knuckle that it could have come from her Vauxhall Tavern days. Dubois gets away with it thanks to her charm and timing, becoming a classic panto villain earning her boos at curtain call.

This year Pearce clearly loves working with another talented comedian as they adlib, and corpse on a regular basis, which all adds to the chaos because it’s great panto fun when things go wrong. They worked brilliantly on the tricky wordplay of the ‘pheasant plucker’ routine, bringing the house down as they both teetered on the edge of a massive verbal mishap.

Never underestimate the skill it takes to be a panto performer as props come flying on and off with a frenetic pace across frequent scene changes. There is a lovely bit of business as Pearce, Dubois, pop singer Sinitta and Jamie John, who leads The Magnificent Seven with great warmth, do a deceptively simple routine around the 12 days of Christmas. It was a sequence that required great concentration and had the whole place rocking with laughter.

X Factor legend Sinitta is The Spirit of Pantomime, and unlike some star name bookings is a seasoned performer. She more than holds her own amidst all the mayhem, and as a nod to her days in charts belts out So Macho surrounded by dancers in Teresa Nalton’s over the top costumes. Alhambra panto regular Sarah Pearson is back as a charming Snow White, who just about manages not to corpse under a barrage of insults from Dubois. Callum Connolly is suitably noble as Prince William and gamely joining in the ad libbing.

You can’t accuse panto giants Crossroads who produce this show of not putting the money onstage as the sets are big and bold, including a quite sensational house for The Magnificent Seven. All the costumes are increasingly flamboyant, especially for Dubois, and credit to a talented ensemble of dancers for keeping their elaborate headdresses on.

There are two big special effects in both halves (oh, yes there are), and no spoilers, but they are worth the admission price alone.

Panto is often a child’s first introduction to the magic of theatre, so this warm hearted and ambitious production will have them coming back for more. (oh, yes it will). There was an advert in the programme for next year’s panto once again starring Billy Pearce so get booking to watch a master at work.

Snow White and Seven Dwarfs runs until Saturday 18th January 2026. To book www.bradford-theatres.co.uk or 01274 432000.

Reviewer: Paul Clarke

Reviewed: 11th December 2025

North West End UK Rating: