The M&S Bank Arena panto was packed with singing, dancing and lots of festive fun
Snow White at the M&S Bank Arena with Helen Flanagan (Wicked Queen) centre, and Andy Brennan (Dame Dolly), Bippo the Clown (Muddles), and Rebecca Lake(Fairy)(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
A pantomime is a true Christmas tradition and if you’re planning on booking one this season Snow White and the Seven Dwarves at the M&S Bank Arena is sure to get you in the festive spirit.
I was really impressed by the panto at the arena a couple of years ago and 2025’s production was just as good. Several cast members have reprised their roles in this year’s show, with Bippo – this year playing Muddles – a clear audience favourite.
The panto may be called Snow White but it’s Bippo that is the true star of the show. He took charge of audience interaction, playing pranks, getting us all singing and dancing and telling the sauciest jokes.
His partnership with Dame Dolly, played by returning star Andy Brennan, is hilarious and you can tell the pair have worked together before as they knowingly move the panto along the traditional storyline, with a few Scouse additions.
The rest of the cast all play their part well, with Helen Flanagan in particular clearly relishing her role as the wicked queen.
Helen comes alive as the wicked witch, as she plays up to the boos and hisses from the audience and storms around the stage in her fabulous sparkly red gown.
Helen Flanagan (Wicked Queen), in Snow White at the M&S Bank Arena (Pic Andrew Teebay).(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Helen’s arrival on stage is heralded by flames and pyrotechnics, which while visually impressive was a little overwhelming for some of the youngest audience members.
The panto is a slick production with bright and bold costumes, inventive sets and projections, Including the magic mirror, making sure the audience never gets bored.
The cast’s vocals were also on point with Snow White, played by Ellis Lloyd, and Fairy Fortune, played by Rebecca Lake, giving particularly strong performances.
But panto isn’t meant to be truly polished and there were several skits and mishaps along the way which just added to the fun.
The cream pie scene particularly delighted my six-year-old niece and Dave the stagehand’s accidental involvement made sure the whole audience was laughing.
At the end of the two hour show I felt like I’d done a workout after all the singing, dancing and laughing I’d participated in.
Snow White is the perfect festive show, just don’t expect to be able to sit back while you watch it.