Nothing says Christmas like a night at the panto, and Oxford Playhouse’s brand-new Dick Whittington is a gleeful, glittery treat. On a cold, rainy Oxford evening, this show brought the sunshine: proper slapstick, big vocals, and wall-to-wall audience participation that had every age joining in. It’s pure Panto magic with a Britpop bounce.
The show
This remix of the classic tale sends Dick “Dot” Whittington (a buoyant Daisy Ann Fletcher) from “Oxenford” to London with Fairy Bowbells (sparkling Elliot Wooster) and a magical cat, only to find the city under threat from Proper crafty rat-king Liam Rattagher (the blissfully bad Robin Hemmings)and his dodgy brother Noel who want to make Britain bland.
Expect 90s pop winks (Spice Girls, Take That, Oasis, Robbie Williams, East 17, Blur, Pet Shop Boys, Steps) stitched smartly into a panto score that keeps the stalls humming.
Running gag watch: the ‘rat squeak’ every time someone says “Rat”; Damian Allbran’s bucket hat; Dot’s rant about the family name. It’s silly, knowing and very, very fun.
The Oxford Playhouse production, written & directed by Toby Hulse, from the award-winning team behind Sleeping Beauty and Jack & The Beanstalk (Special Recognition Award for Innovation at The Pantomime Awards 2025).
Standout turns
- Robin Hemmings (Liam Rattagher) is a riot with the trademark Gallagher swagger, razor timing, and a villain you love to boo.
- Daisy Ann Fletcher (Dot) leads with charm and a bright, clean vocal; the kids in the audience were with her from the first entrance.
- Lucy Frederick (Sarah Fitzwarren), Sophia Lewis (Alice) and Fintan Hayeck (Albert Square) keep the pace fizzy, while Daniel Forrester’s Damian Allbran proves a lovable turncoat.
- Elliot Wooster sprinkles the evening with twinkly-eyed mischief as Fairy Bowbells.
Two youth ensembles (ages 11–15, from across Oxfordshire) rotate through performances as market traders, rats and Top Pop fans, a lovely community touch that the audience clearly adored.
Best bits (no spoilers)
- A water-pistol sequence that had the stalls howling.
- A snow effect that lands beautifully.
- A Britpop mash-up finale that sends you out dancing.
Verdict: Five stars. Big-hearted, properly funny, and a joy to share with children, or to unleash your inner one.
Need to know
- Venue: Oxford Playhouse
- Tue 2 Dec 2025 – Sun 4 Jan 2026 • 2h 15m incl. interval • Age: “5 to 105!
- Tickets: from £17 • oxfordplayhouse.com • 01865 305305 (be quick; peak performances sell fast).
- Family note: some cheeky innuendo (it is panto after all); brief loud moments (water pistols/cheers) and snow effect, little ones who are sound-sensitive may like ear defenders.
Who’s in it (principal cast)
- Daisy Ann Fletcher (Dick “Dot” Whittington)
- Elliot Wooster (Fairy Bowbells)
- Robin Hemmings (Liam Rattagher)
- Lucy Frederick (Sarah Fitzwarren)
- Sophia Lewis (Alice)
- Fintan Hayeck (Albert Square)
- Daniel Forrester (Damian Allbran)
- Ensemble: Macy Dermody-Blythe, Stefanos Petri
- Youth ensembles (11–15) appear in rotating teams.
(Cast as billed at press night.)
Credits
- Writer/Director: Toby Hulse
- Composer/Arranger: Steve Allan Jones
- Set: Bronia Housman
- Costume: Immy Howard
- Lighting: Ashley Bale & Will Hayman (assoc. Rachel Luff)
- Sound: Chris Humphries & Matt Eaton
- Projection: Joe Stathers
- Choreography: Rae Piper (asst. Emily Scott)
- Makaton signing support: Rebecca Hulbert (great inclusion note to call out)
- Band: Bart Thiede (MD/Keys), Lucy Gowen (Guitars), Lisa Martin (Drums)
Live band led by Bart Thiede keeps the Britpop references tight and the tempo snappy.
For schools: downloadable Education Pack (PDF) and Visual Story (PDF) available from the Playhouse show page.
Access & inclusion Shows
- Relaxed: Thu 4 Dec, 6:00pm
- BSL interpreted: Fri 5 Dec, 10:00am (schools) & Thu 11 Dec, 6:00pm
- Audio described: Sat 6 Dec, 11:00am & Sat 3 Jan, 2:00pm
- Captioned: Fri 19 Dec, 3:00pm
- Dementia-friendly: Fri 2 Jan, 2:00pm
- Schools performances: multiple weekday 10:00/2:00pm slots
- Lap tickets (under 18 months)
