Oxford Playhouse has announced Snow White as its 2026 Christmas pantomime, with a new Oxford-set version of the classic fairytale running from November to January.
At a glance
| Show | Snow White |
| Where | Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2LW |
| When | Friday 20 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 |
| Writer | Sarah Henley |
| Director | Mike Tweddle, Artistic Director and CEO of Oxford Playhouse |
| Composer and arranger | Caolan McCarthy |
| Age guidance | 5 to 105, according to Oxford Playhouse |
| Running time | 2hrs 20mins, including interval |
| Booking | Tickets are available through Oxford Playhouse |
Oxford Playhouse is preparing to bring Snow White to its main stage this Christmas, with a new version of the fairytale set in the enchanted West Oxford Wood.
The pantomime will run from Friday 20 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, giving families a long festive season of boos, cheers, songs, jokes and audience participation.
It is a new title for the Playhouse and will be directed by the theatre’s Artistic Director and CEO, Mike Tweddle, in his first pantomime for the venue.
Writer Sarah Henley is also making her Oxford Playhouse panto debut, while Grammy-nominated musician Caolan McCarthy joins the creative team as composer and arranger.
A fresh Oxford twist on Snow White
This year’s story takes audiences into the enchanted West Oxford Wood, where Snow must face Queen Narcissa, an image-obsessed villain whose hunger for power and admiration comes at a cost to the natural world.
The queen’s all-knowing mirror, MiRi, helps fuel her vanity and ambition. When Narcissa discovers a magical resource that can preserve her beauty, she becomes determined to mine every last piece from the forest.
With help from unlikely friends, Snow must outwit the queen and restore balance to the natural world.
The Playhouse says audiences can expect a festive adventure filled with magic, music, mischief, dance numbers and plenty of jokes.
Sarah Henley promises laughter, mayhem and magic
Writer Sarah Henley said she was delighted to be making her Oxford Playhouse pantomime debut.
She said: “I’m delighted to be making my Oxford Playhouse panto debut this year, with a Snow White that’s full of laughter, music, mayhem and magic.
“We’ve taken a classic fairy tale and given it a fresh take, creating a world of rebellious eco-warriors, a highly glamorous villain and one extremely scene-stealing pig.
“Packed with audience participation, comedy and plenty of heart, I can’t wait to share the story with Oxford audiences this Christmas.”
Mike Tweddle directs his first Oxford Playhouse panto
Mike Tweddle said the Playhouse pantomime is one of the theatre’s most important productions of the year.
He said: “I’m beyond excited to direct my first pantomime and collaborate with this stellar team.
“Sarah Henley is one of the funniest, cleverest and most generous writers around. She’s combined all the highlights of this much-loved tale with some wonderful new ideas and characters.
“The Oxford Playhouse panto is the most important show we make, and I can’t wait for audiences to feel just how funny and fierce the story of Snow White can be.”
Who is on the creative team?
The production brings together returning Playhouse pantomime creatives and new collaborators.
Bronia Housman returns as set designer, with Immy Howard as costume designer, Chris Humphries as sound designer, Will Hayman as lighting designer, Emily Scott as choreographer and Augustine Van Spyk as assistant sound designer.
Paul Simpson joins as associate director, with Jo Woodcock returning as production manager, James Thearle as head of production and master carpenter, Bart Thiede as musical director, and Sarah-Jane Price as casting director.
Creative team highlights
| Writer | Sarah Henley |
| Director | Mike Tweddle |
| Composer and arranger | Caolan McCarthy |
| Set designer | Bronia Housman |
| Costume designer | Immy Howard |
| Lighting designer | Will Hayman |
| Sound designer | Chris Humphries |
| Choreographer | Emily Scott |
| Musical director | Bart Thiede |
| Casting director | Sarah-Jane Price |
Local performers and young company
Oxford Playhouse says the production will once again include a Panto Young Company made up of local 11 to 15-year-olds.
The venue also held a local casting call for professional actors based within 25 miles of Oxford Playhouse, with more than 60 Oxfordshire performers auditioning for roles.
Full casting for the pantomime is due to be announced later this summer.
The local focus is important because the Playhouse pantomime is not simply a touring festive show. It is made in Oxford, shaped around the city, and has become one of the theatre’s most recognisable annual productions.
Sustainability built into the show
Taking inspiration from the forest setting, Oxford Playhouse says sustainability will be kept at the heart of the production.
Much of last year’s Dick Whittington set will be reused and transformed into a new enchanted world for Snow White.
That approach follows a wider shift in theatre production, where venues and companies are increasingly looking at how sets, costumes and materials can be reused or adapted rather than built from scratch for every show.
Why Oxford’s pantomime matters
The Oxford Playhouse pantomime has become a major part of the city’s festive season, drawing school groups, families, regular theatre-goers and first-time visitors.
Oxford Playhouse said in its local casting call that its annual pantomimes welcome audiences of more than 36,000 each year.
The venue has also received national recognition for its approach to pantomime. In 2025, Oxford Playhouse received the Achievement in Innovation award at the Pantomime Awards for its production of Sleeping Beauty.
The Pantomime Association praised the venue’s fresh reworking of familiar fairytales, saying its approach showed what could be achieved through creative collaboration.
Accessible performances
Oxford Playhouse has listed a range of accessible performances across the run, including British Sign Language interpreted, relaxed, dementia-friendly, audio-described, touch tour and captioned performances.
| Performance type | Date and time listed by Oxford Playhouse |
|---|---|
| BSL performance | Friday 4 December at 10am; Thursday 10 December at 6pm |
| Dementia-friendly performance | Wednesday 9 December at 2pm |
| Relaxed performance | Friday 11 December at 6pm |
| Audio-described and touch tour | Saturday 12 December at 11am; Saturday 2 January at 2pm |
| Captioned performance | Thursday 17 December at 2pm; Saturday 2 January at 6pm |
Audiences with access needs should check directly with the Box Office before booking, as arrangements and availability can change.
Performance details
| Dates | Friday 20 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 |
| Venue | Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2LW |
| Running time | 2hrs 20mins, including interval |
| Age guidance | 5 to 105 |
| Babies | Free lap tickets are available for babies under 18 months |
| Box Office | 01865 305305 |
| Booking | Book through Oxford Playhouse |
What families can expect
Families can expect a pantomime that keeps the familiar festive ingredients while giving the story a distinctly Oxford twist.
The production promises audience participation, comic characters, songs, dancing and visual spectacle, but the West Oxford Wood setting also gives the show an environmental thread.
That means Snow White should offer the traditional panto pleasures of jokes, villains, cheers and magical moments, while also giving young audiences a story about looking after the natural world.
With performances running through Christmas and into the new year, the show is likely to be one of Oxford’s main family theatre attractions for the 2026 festive season.
FAQs
What is Oxford Playhouse’s 2026 Christmas pantomime?
Oxford Playhouse’s 2026 Christmas pantomime is Snow White.
When does Snow White run at Oxford Playhouse?
The pantomime runs from Friday 20 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027.
Who is writing Snow White?
The pantomime is written by Sarah Henley.
Who is directing Snow White?
The production is directed by Oxford Playhouse Artistic Director and CEO Mike Tweddle.
What is different about this version?
The story is set in the enchanted West Oxford Wood and features Queen Narcissa, an image-obsessed villain whose search for beauty threatens the natural world.
Is the pantomime suitable for children?
Oxford Playhouse lists the show as suitable for ages 5 to 105. Free lap tickets are available for babies under 18 months.
How long is the performance?
The running time is listed as 2hrs 20mins, including an interval.
Are there accessible performances?
Yes. Oxford Playhouse lists BSL, relaxed, dementia-friendly, audio-described, touch tour and captioned performances during the run.
Where can people book tickets?
Tickets can be booked through the Oxford Playhouse website or by calling the Box Office on 01865 305305.
