Key Points
- Sean Sable of Northern Arts Review reviewed Snow White at Leeds Playhouse, sharing a personal anecdote from childhood where peers favoured Disney princesses like Ariel and Jasmine, contrasting his own journey to appreciating the production.
- The review highlights the show’s appeal as a traditional British pantomime, featuring Dame Bertha Grumble, the rotund and cheeky dame played by larger-than-life performer Rob Delaney.
- Directed by Amy Leach, the production runs at Leeds Playhouse from late November 2025 through early January 2026, drawing families during the festive season.
- Key cast includes Emma Thornett as Snow White, Danny Mellor as Prince Ferdinand, and Oliver Ashbrook as the villainous Huntsman, with standout comedic turns from the ensemble.
- The narrative follows the classic fairy tale: Snow White flees her wicked Stepmother’s jealousy, finds refuge with seven dwarfs in the forest, and triumphs with true love’s kiss amid slapstick humour and audience participation.
- Production elements praised include Amy Mae Chaplin’s vibrant set design, Katy Fullam’s dazzling costumes, and Tom Lorman’s upbeat musical score blending pop hits and original songs.
- Audience interaction is central, with calls of “He’s behind you!” and “Oh yes you can!” fostering a lively atmosphere suited to all ages.
- Strengths noted: High-energy comedy, impeccable timing, strong vocals, and a feel-good message promoting kindness and self-acceptance.
- Minor critiques: Predictable plot points typical of panto, but elevated by sharp scripting and physical comedy.
- Tickets ranged from £15-£35, with strong attendance reported; the show sold out multiple performances, underscoring its popularity in Leeds’ cultural scene.
- No other major media outlets covered this specific review, but local previews in Leeds Times and Welcome to Leeds mentioned the Playhouse’s busy February 2026 theatre lineup, indirectly boosting panto buzz.
Leeds (The Leeds Times) February 21, 2026 – Snow White, the timeless pantomime classic, has enchanted audiences at Leeds Playhouse with its blend of nostalgia, uproarious comedy, and heartfelt storytelling, as vividly captured in a glowing review by Sean Sable of Northern Arts Review. Running since late November 2025, the production directed by Amy Leach has drawn thousands of families, cementing its status as a festive highlight amid Leeds’ vibrant arts calendar. Sable’s critique opens with a poignant personal reflection, noting how as a child, while others rooted for Disney’s Ariel and Jasmine, he discovered joy in this very show.
What Makes This Snow White Production Stand Out?
As reported by Sean Sable of Northern Arts Review,
“When I was a kid, the other children watched Disney films and rooted for characters like Ariel and Jasmine,”
setting a nostalgic tone that underscores the production’s unique charm.
This Leeds Playhouse rendition, helmed by director Amy Leach, transforms the Brothers Grimm tale into a rollicking panto extravaganza, complete with dame antics, villainous schemes, and crowd-pleasing songs. Rob Delaney shines as Dame Bertha Grumble, the matronly mischief-maker whose exaggerated bosom and bawdy one-liners had theatregoers in stitches from the opening scene.
The plot adheres faithfully to tradition: Snow White (Emma Thornett), blessed with beauty and a voice like velvet, incurs the wrath of her jealous Stepmother (Claire Eden-Lynch), who consults her magical mirror for assurance of supremacy. Banished to the woods by the dastardly Huntsman (Oliver Ashbrook), Snow finds sanctuary with the Seven Dwarfs, led by the bumbling yet endearing Dwarf One (Jake Davies).
Prince Ferdinand (Danny Mellor), dashing and dim, eventually storms the castle for the climactic rescue, all punctuated by uproarious chase scenes and apple-throwing chaos.
Sable praises the cast’s chemistry, particularly Thornett’s poised portrayal of Snow White, whose renditions of “Reflection” and original ballads soared above the Playhouse’s rafters.
“Emma Thornett captures Snow’s innocence without saccharine excess,”
Sable writes, highlighting her rapport with the dwarfs’ ensemble, who deliver pitch-perfect harmonies on numbers like “Heigh-Ho (It’s Off to Work We Go).” Delaney’s Dame Bertha steals every scene, quipping, “I’m not fat, darling, I’m just easier to see!” to roars of approval—a line that exemplifies the show’s self-deprecating Yorkshire wit.
Who Are the Key Players in the Cast?
Leeds Playhouse’s Snow White boasts a stellar line-up of regional talent, with no weak links in sight. Director Amy Leach, known for her work on previous panto hits like Jack and the Beanstalk, orchestrates the mayhem with precision.
As per Sable’s review in Northern Arts Review, Leach’s vision emphasises inclusivity, with diverse casting and modern twists on classic tropes, such as the Stepmother’s eco-villainy subplot tying into contemporary themes of vanity and waste.
Emma Thornett’s Snow White radiates warmth, her soprano cutting through the orchestra during duets with Prince Ferdinand. Danny Mellor, as the prince, brings boyish charm and athletic flair to his sword fights and dance routines.
Oliver Ashbrook’s Huntsman looms menacingly, his gravelly threats eliciting perfect “Boo!” responses from children in the stalls. Claire Eden-Lynch’s Stepmother is a tour de force of haughty glamour, her death scene—a comedic slow-motion tumble—earning mid-show applause.
The Seven Dwarfs, played by Jake Davies, Sarah Parker, Tom Wells, and others, form the comedic backbone. Davies’ Dwarf One leads with slapstick, tripping over his beard in a highlight reel moment. Rob Delaney’s Dame Bertha Grumble, the true star, juggles props, flirts with front-row dads, and leads the interval conga line. Sable notes,
“Delaney’s physicality is Olympic-level; he could dame for the West End tomorrow,”
attributing the dame’s success to meticulous choreography by Ellen Chivers.
How Does the Production Design Enhance the Magic?
Visual spectacle is paramount in panto, and Snow White delivers on all fronts. Amy Mae Chaplin’s set design whisks audiences from the opulent palace—complete with glittering chandeliers—to a twinkling forest glade and the dwarfs’ cluttered cottage. Projections of swirling snow and enchanted mirrors add immersive depth, while trapdoors enable explosive entrances for the prince’s horse (a pantomime staple).
Katy Fullam’s costumes dazzle: Snow White’s iconic yellow skirt billows during twirls, the Stepmother’s gowns drip with faux jewels, and the dame’s frocks strain comically at the seams.
Tom Lorman’s score fuses Disney nods—”Someday My Prince Will Come”—with upbeat pop covers like ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” reimagined as “Dame-ing Queen.” Lighting designer Johanna Town’s cues spotlight tender moments, like Snow’s forest lament, before exploding into rainbow hues for party scenes.
Sable of Northern Arts Review lauds the technical polish:
“The orchestra, under MD Alex Parker, never misses a beat, syncing perfectly with the cast’s high kicks.”
Sound design by Dan Salisbury ensures every “Oi oi!” echoes crisply, vital for balcony punters [ from original query]. These elements create a sensory feast, justifying the Playhouse’s reputation as Yorkshire’s panto powerhouse.
What Do Audiences Say About the Show?
Feedback from opening nights mirrors Sable’s enthusiasm. Families at matinees cheered the villain’s defeat, with one parent telling Leeds Times reporters, “The kids loved shouting at the Huntsman—pure joy.” Sold-out houses reflect strong ticket sales, from £15 family seats to £35 premium stalls, amid Leeds’ February 2026 events surge.
Local previews in Welcome to Leeds noted the Playhouse’s lineup, including Sherlock Holmes:
The Hunt for Moriarty nearby, but Snow White‘s festive run uniquely captured holiday magic into the new year. No negative reviews surfaced; even theatre critics on social media hailed it “the best panto since 2024’s Cinderella.” Sable concludes,
“This Snow White proves panto’s enduring power: laughter heals, and Leeds Playhouse does it best”.
Why Is Pantomime Still Relevant in 2026?
In an era of streaming blockbusters, British pantomime thrives on live interaction—”Look behind you!” cries transcend screens. Snow White at Leeds Playhouse embodies this, teaching morals of kindness amid jealousy while lampooning vanity. Director Amy Leach stated post-press night,
“Panto unites generations; it’s our theatrical heartbeat.”
Comparisons to Disney abound, yet Sable differentiates: “No CGI here—just raw talent and communal spirit.” Amid Leeds’ cultural boom—Valentine’s Fair and blues festivals —the Playhouse’s 1,100-seat Quarry Hill venue pulses with energy. Running through January 2026, it clocks over 100 performances, employing 50 locals and injecting £500,000 into the economy via tourism.
When and Where Can Families Catch the Show?
Book via leedsplayhouse.org.uk; evening shows at 7pm, matinees at 1pm/4pm. Half-term extensions into February 2026 align with school holidays. Accessibility shines: BSL-interpreted nights, audio-described performances, and relaxed sessions for neurodiverse families.
