There is one outstanding East Midlands regional theatre panto we look forward to year on year and that, you’ve guessed it, is the Nottingham Playhouse production. This year’s Dick Whittington is a sparkling, spectacular cracker of a pantomime and that is just the fabulous sets and costumes designed by Mark Walters. Dick, take note. You don’t need to go to London to see high quality work. It’s all here at Nottingham Playhouse. Those London streets may not be paved with gold but this Playhouse panto has a glittering golden heart.

Written and directed by Adam Penford, Dick Whittington has something for everyone; silliness for the kids (and adults) and plenty of corny jokes and innuendo laden dialogue. Johnny Morton’s four-piece band are musically brilliant as always and the musicians love to join in the panto fun. There are plenty of well sung songs in this year’s panto – some of which carry the story along and some just for fun. If you are planning to see this year’s panto do check out our timings at the end of this review as we felt, although it is great value for money, it is a little long for the smaller children at night.

Dick Whittington is very well cast with performers that have oodles of talent, great comic timing, a brilliant sense of teamwork and fun, plus very strong song and dance skills as well as enormous charm across the board. The panto cast this year are the irreplaceable John Elkington (Sarah the Cook), the vibrant Lisa Ambalavanar (Dick Whittington), and some energetic new cast members Rosanna Bates (Alice Fitzwarren), bad boy Christopher Chandler (King Rat), the very likable and very silly Danny Hendrix (Silly Billy), the athletic Ewan Ling (Tom the Cat), brilliantly comedic TJ Lloyd (Alderman Fitzwarren) and a very charismatic Natalie Winsor (Fairy Bowbells). The Youth Chorus are fantastic as the rats and other characters and seem to have more involvement this year which is great to see.

Come and see probably the best pantomime Nottingham has to offer at Nottingham Playhouse. We heartily recommend it! There’s plenty of audience participation, maybe romance in the air and the Dame’s outlandish pantomime costumes get better and better and better each year. You’ll find yourself jumping for joy, laughing your socks off in appreciation of the joys of a good panto and loving its two main heroes, an adventurous, fine upstanding Dick and Tom his very friendly pussy.

Fri 25 Nov 2022 – Sat 14 Jan 2023

Tickets Starting From: £45 – £18. Find out about our pricing here.

• Thu 15 Dec, 7.30pm
• Wed 28 Dec, 7.30pm
• Thu 5 Jan, 7.30pm

Find out more here.

First Half  – 70 minutes

Interval – 20 minutes

Second Half – 70 minutes

Look out for an extra special guest who will be making an appearance in our foyer and auditorium on the following dates:

Sat 3 Dec, 7.30pm

Sat 10 Dec, 7.30pm

Fri 16 Dec, 7.30pm

Thurs 22 Dec 2.30pm & 7.30pm