Ding dong indeed – Panto is well and truly back in Walsall, and this year’s Wizard of Oz: A Wicked Pantomime is everything you want from a hometown Christmas show: loud, cheeky, sparkling with fun, and packed with that unmistakable Black Country charm.
From the moment Dorothy Gale (played by Nicola Harris-Smith) gets swept away by a full-blown whirlywind, you know you’re in for an adventure. The tornado scene has some excellent effects to make it feel like you’re being pulled into Oz right alongside her. Nicola’s vocals are a real highlight of the show.
This production isn’t your standard trip down the Yellow Brick Road. Oh no – this is Walsall’s version, meaning a few things are guaranteed:
Walsall accents? Absolutely.
Local sayings? Everywhere.
Cheeky jokes that will have the adults giggling just as much as the kids? 100%. Actually this year, it felt like the giggling mostly came from the adults.
A misunderstanding involving some stolen Ruby Crocs sets off the Wicked Wench of the West – played with perfect green-tinged fury by Sophie Tuffnell – and from there the chaos only gets bigger and better. Sophie is excellent as the Wicked Witch and really gets the audience joining in.
Luckily, Dorothy has guidance from none other than Dame Glinda, the fabulously over-the-top Good Wench of Walsall played by Darren Haywood, who had the crowd roaring every time he stepped on stage. This year marks the thirteenth year of him performing in the Walsall Arena panto and he’s very much loved. A lady sat next to me said ‘I love him, I do’ to her two friends who both joined in, agreeing.
As Dorothy makes her way through Oz, she picks up three brilliantly larger-than-life companions:
A delightful Scarecrow (Rhys Jones), wobbling, tumbling, and joking his way across every scene.
A heavy-metal-loving Tin Man (Matthew Harris-Smith), complete with riffs, rock songs, and some cheeky innuendos.
And a completely loveable, cuddle-seeking Cowardly Lioness (Megan Brayne), who instantly became a crowd favourite.
Add to that 15 dancers, 3 swings, and a creative team that clearly loves what they do, and you’ve got a production bursting with energy.
The team behind last year’s sell-out show returned for this one, and their experience shows in every detail.
The choreography by Emily Bellingham and Victoria Addis is fun, while Jamie Harley’s lighting design and Drew White’s sound work give the whole show a professional punch.
Special mention to Henry Cowans for the pyrotechnics which were a great accompaniment to the set (from UK Productions).
The script from Simon Lilley, produced by Simon Pugh, leans right into what makes panto special: modern references, silly humour, family in-jokes, and catchy sayings. Expect pop bangers you’ll recognise immediately, some “oh no he didn’t!” moments, and tons of audience interaction. Booing and hissing are not just welcomed – they’re required.
We missed Emily Summers this year who is a regular on the panto stage and wanted to give her a mention to say a huge congratulations on her new baby – here’s hoping we see you back onstage next year.
Walsall Arena continues to make theatre open to everyone, with a BSL interpreted performance scheduled for Sunday 14 December at 12pm.
There really is no place like panto – and Walsall Arena once again proves they know exactly how to bring festive magic to the stage.
It’s fun, it’s local, it’s gloriously silly, and it’s packed with talent. Whether you’re taking the kids, going with friends, or just fancy escaping to Oz for a couple of hours, this is great Christmas show.
Tickets are priced at £14 & £17.
Book now – because if last year is anything to go by, this one won’t stay in Kansas for long and some dates have already sold out. On until 21 December.
For more details and to book: https://www.walsallarena.com/whats-on/all-shows/the-wizard-of-oz-a-wicked-pantomime/6912