Review: POTTED PANTO, Wilton’s Music Hall - Dec 2025
Two actors, seven pantomimes, 80 minutes – it may sound like an ambitious feat but expect nothing less from the Potted Panto team. If you are indecisive about which classic show to watch this year, or you simply lack the attention span to concentrate on just one story for an evening, Potted Panto may just be the right fit for you. It is brimming with Christmas spirit and asks the audience only the most philosophical questions, can one actor play all of the seven dwarves, and is A Christmas Carol really a pantomime?
2025 marks the third Christmas season of Potted Panto finding it’s home at Wilton’s Music Hall, incorporating new cultural references with each iteration. It is also the 20 year anniversary of the entire Potted concept that started its life as a Harry Potter parody street show. Throughout the company’s 20 year trajectory, it has reached accolades of performing across the globe from South Africa to Las Vegas, as well as being nominated for an Olivier Award.
Daniel Clarkson and Gary Trainor become a comedic double-act, forming the cast of the show alongside many guest performances from assistant stage managers, James Gulliford and Georgia Corrigan, as well as the audience of course. Comedy is the strength of both lead actors, who have pure dynamism, bouncing off each other’s one-liners with plenty of side-splitting wit and balancing the complex demands of multi-rolling many iconically lovable characters. As a pair, they really light up the stage, few in numbers but mighty in force.
Potted Panto pushes the limits of both comedy and pantomime. It has become a truly unconventional show whilst simultaneously remaining loyal to many classic pantomime conventions. However, trying to pack so much into only 80 minutes does result in a few iconic pantomime tropes being neglected, and potentially adding another song or two to the mix would have further boosted the merry spirits of the show.
It is an entertaining show with jokes to be enjoyed by all ages. Some truly memorable moments include the recurring appearances of Clarkson’s Prince Charming, whether dramatically entering through the auditorium, trying to woo the front row with dancing, entering through an onstage window or exclaiming ‘Huzzah!’ whenever possible. Clarkson mixes comedy, cheekiness and chaos to bring this character to life. Another iconic moment is their post-interval re-caps (featuring actual caps), cramming the story so far into only a few minutes. It is complete barmy chaos, yet it works every time, resulting in countless laugh-out-loud moments.
Seven pantos for the price of one is a deal like no other! Join Potted Panto for a night of comedy and Christmas chaos for all the family.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Heidi Downing
Potted Panto plays at Wilton’s Music Hall in London until 3 Jan, with further info via the link below:
https://wiltons.org.uk/whats-on/potted-panto-2/
Photo credit: Geraint Lewis