We were kindly invited to press night at Theatre Royal Portsmouth and were treated to an outstanding evening of festive entertainment.
This marked our first pantomime visit to the newly rebranded Theatre Royal, making the experience all the more exciting. With Theatre Royal Portsmouth now joining forces with Kings Theatre under the Portsmouth Theatres banner, this production feels like a strong statement of intent. With such an abundance of local talent, this collaboration promises exciting things for the city’s cultural scene.
Snow White, a pantomime classic and personal favourite, was delivered with confidence, flair and impressive production values. On arrival, it was announced that due to illness, understudies would be stepping into the roles of Nurse Nelly and Muddles. However, had this not been mentioned, it would have gone entirely unnoticed. Both performers rose to the occasion effortlessly, proving that the show truly does go on.
Musically, the production was of an exceptionally high standard, particularly in its vocal performances. Julia Worsley as the Wicked Queen was a standout throughout, delivering a commanding and polished performance that quite simply stole the show. Her vocals were superb, and her portrayal brought a modern, stylish edge to the role, arguably one of the coolest pantomime villains we’ve seen. Having appeared in Kings Theatre pantomimes for the past five years, her performance at Theatre Royal under the new joint banner felt especially significant.
A clever and warmly received highlight came in the form of the Magic Mirror, featuring a cameo appearance from local broadcasting legend Fred Dinenage. This was a smart and playful addition that delighted the audience and added a strong local touch.
In the title role, Sophie-Rose Emery delivered a warm, sincere and engaging Snow White. Her chemistry with Darcy James as Prince Charming was natural and convincing, making them a perfectly matched pairing.
Pantomime would not be complete without a Dame, and Danny Lee West stepped into the role of Nurse Nelly for press night with confidence and comedic precision. His performance was sharp, sassy and thoroughly entertaining. Paired with Matt Dingley as Muddles, the duo had excellent chemistry, with their Elvis routine proving to be a standout moment of the evening.
Another major highlight was the Magnificent Seven! Sarge, Mardy, Sniffly, Groovy, Smiler, Cheeky and Loopy performed by the Orange Team. These young cast members were a joy to watch and added an extra layer of charm and energy to the production.
With last-minute cast changes affecting two major roles, the potential for disruption was high. Instead, the production ran flawlessly a true testament to the professionalism, talent and cohesion of this year’s cast.
Magic, Music and Standout Performances in Theatre Royal Portsmouth’s Snow White!
This show is polished, joyful and high-quality pantomime that we would wholeheartedly recommend. The familiar production values associated with Kings Theatre were clearly present, and this collaboration already feels like something special. Press night felt like the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Portsmouth’s theatre scene and one we’re very much looking forward to watching grow.
Snow White runs at Theatre Royal Portsmouth from Friday 12 December 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026. Tickets start from just £10!
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